Hi Linda...
I was playing in a four ball and my partner and myself were
on the green and marked. Player A of the opposing team was on the green about 6
feet from the hole, and behind it from Player A's partner, Player B, whose ball
was in a bunker. I asked Player A to mark her ball. She at first refused,
because her partner was not on the green. I felt the ball could be a backstop
for her partner’s bunker shot. With some discussion the ball was marked, but
they thought they shouldn't have to. I said they didn't have to unless they
were asked to.
What is the ruling?
Lulu from Boca Raton, Florida
Dear Lulu,
Your understanding is correct.
Whenever a player suspects that a ball may assist another
player, she has the right to lift the ball if it is hers, or to have it lifted
if it belongs to another player [Rule 22-1]. This Rule applies anywhere on the
golf course; it is not limited to the putting green.
In stroke play, a player who is asked to lift her ball has
the option to play first rather than lift the ball. Also in stroke play, if the
Committee discovers that competitors agreed to deliberately leave a ball in
place to assist any player, they are disqualified. If Player A had refused to
comply with your request, she would be subject to disqualification [Rule 3-4].
If Player A in your scenario had not been asked to lift her
ball, and she and her partner did not confer and decide to leave it in place to
assist Player B, Player A would not be required to lift her ball.
Linda
Copyright © 2018 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
