Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Ask Linda 1939-Accidentally move ball in play

Dear Linda,
On one of our competition days a lady was scraping away pine needles near her ball when she brushed her ball, moving it forward.

She let her marker know – she replaced her ball to its original spot and hit it.

Could you tell me the rule this action concerns and the penalty involved (if any)?

I have tried looking it up but the rule seems to get more complicated the more you look at it.

Thanking you,
Lulu from Australia

Dear Lulu,

The player gets a one-stroke penalty for accidentally moving her ball in play while brushing away loose impediments, and she must replace the ball [Rules 9.4b and 15.1b]. None of the exceptions to Rule 9.4b apply to this particular situation.

Linda
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