Ask Linda #343-Writing on glove

Dear Linda

I have a question to ask you. I know you can draw a line on your ball, but can you draw a line on your glove or hand to remind yourself not to rotate the putter head on your take-away? Is this within the Rules or is it considered an artificial device or aid? From way back I remember a golfer writing the word "Enjoy" on his hand as a reminder that he was out there to enjoy himself.

Kind regards

Lou Lou

Perth, Australia

Dear Lou Lou,

The prohibition against artificial devices and unusual equipment does not extend to drawing lines on your glove (hand, arm, leg, shoe, hat, towel, etc.). Artwork will not alter the playing characteristics of your equipment; nor will it physically assist you in making a stroke. The line you describe would be akin to giving advice to yourself, which is perfectly permissible. Perhaps we should all write “enjoy” on our hands!

Linda 

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #342-Material piled for removal

Hi Linda,

Playing recently one player in my group found his ball amongst a collection of wood cuttings. They were small in size but had been assembled by presumably the greenkeeping crew in a neat pile. They had been there some time as now the grass/weeds had grown around and through the pile. 

My playing partner could not play the shot without hitting the wood cuttings, nor could he move the cuttings without moving his ball. Given this situation the player said he was entitled to relief without penalty as this was "greenkeepers workings.” He quoted a similar scenario where there might be a pile of grass cuttings and relief is provided in such an instance where it’s clear the pile has been created by a greenkeeper for later removal.

I guess the query for me is about the existence of this rule, and how long could it apply if ultimately the pile was not removed, such as occurred with the woodcuttings this ball found itself in.

Can you provide any assistance on:

- the existence of this rule

- examples of how it can be used correctly/incorrectly.

Regards,

Lulu

Dear Lulu,

The Definition of Ground Under Repair includes a reference to material piled for removal. It explains that “material left on the course that has been abandoned and is not intended to be removed is not ground under repair unless so marked.”

If the wood cuttings in your question have been sitting around so long that weeds have begun to sprout, you can safely assume that there is no intention on the part of the greenkeeper to remove them. The player in your question was not entitled to free relief under Rule 25 (Abnormal Ground Conditions).

Greenkeepers commonly pile grass cuttings, leaves, wood chips, and other debris in out-of-the-way places in the rough. Simply because the material is in a pile does not mean that there is a clear intention to remove it. I would suggest the following guidelines:

1. If the material is marked as Ground Under Repair, obviously you are entitled to free relief.

2. If workers are actively gathering material into manageable piles, you can assume they plan to remove them and you are entitled to free relief.

3. If the material has been loaded onto a truck and dumped in the woods, this does not constitute “material piled for removal,” so no free relief.

4. Any sign that the material has been left around for a significant amount of time, such as the presence of weeds, is a clear indication that there is no intention to remove it.

Keep in mind that wood chips, grass cuttings, leaves, etc., are loose impediments. If you can move them without causing your ball to move, you are entitled to do so.

If you are playing in a tournament, and there is no Committee member available to make an on-the-spot ruling, then you should play two balls under Rule 3-3 (Doubt as to Procedure) if you are uncertain as to whether the material under your ball has been piled for removal.

In casual play, common sense and honest judgment should make it easy to decide whether you are entitled to free relief.

Linda 

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

  

Ask Linda #341a-Further discussion of #341

Hi Linda - I always read your messages with great interest. Re Ask Linda #341-Failure to replace marker on green, I fully understand and agree. However, I interpret the question submitted differently. I understand that the player marked his ball and just placed it on the green at a different spot. If he then plays that ball (which is no longer in play) he would be playing a wrong ball and would have to correct. Do you agree? Best regards,

Lulu

Dear Lulu–

You are correct in your understanding. A ball that is lifted is out of play. If that ball is not replaced in the correct spot, then the player has played a wrong ball [Definition of Wrong Ball]. In match play, he loses the hole. In stroke play, he incurs a two-stroke penalty and must correct the error before teeing off at the next hole. Failure to correct would result in disqualification [Decision 15/4].

Linda 

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #341-Failure to replace marker on green

Dear Linda,

Would you explain the final score for a player who has reached the green in four, marked his ball, then re-marked and moved his ball to wait for another player to putt, and then failed to replace his ball before putting one stroke to hole out? Is this a two-stroke penalty and the final score for that hole is 7?

Thanks for your terrific blog. I learn something every time.

Lulu

Dear Lulu,

Your calculations are correct. When you are asked to move your marker on the green because it is on another player’s line of putt, you must move it back before you replace and then putt your own ball. If you do not move it back, the penalty is two strokes (loss of hole in match play).

Both the player who moved the ball and the player who asked to have it moved, as well as any other players in the group, should be alert to the situation and remind the player to replace his ball before putting. Common courtesy and good golf etiquette dictate that players help each other avoid penalties whenever possible.

Here is the trick I use to avoid this costly penalty: When I am asked to move my marker, I turn it upside down. The different look helps to remind me that I have to move it back before putting.

Linda  

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #340-Practice stroke, practice swing

Dear Linda,

I have learned plenty from you about the rules of golf.

There was an issue of golf rules at my club yesterday.

At the 8th tee, my partner was getting ready to tee off. As part of his routine, he stood behind the ball and made a few FULL golf practice swings. On this occasion, when he took his second practice swing the club head hit the golf ball on the tee and the ball fell on the teeing ground about 2 meters away.

 The contention is this:

1) Was that considered as a stroke at the ball, and he has to play the ball as it lies as a second stroke?

2) Or since it was a practice stroke (although he took the full back and forward practice stroke), he can go and pick up the ball and replace the ball onto the tee without any penalty, i.e., the  ball had not been in play since it was his practice stroke.

One of us felt he had to play the second shot as it lies. Another golfer said since it was a practice stroke, then even if he hit the ball, it is not in play.

In a related situation, can a player hit a stray golf ball on the tee before he plays his ball on the tee?

Thank you,

Lou Lou

Dear Lou Lou,

1. The ball is not in play until the player makes a stroke from the teeing ground [Definition of Ball in Play]. A practice swing is not a stroke, since there is no intention to hit the ball [Definition of Stroke]. There is no penalty for accidentally hitting your ball on the teeing ground while taking a practice swing, regardless of how many swings you take and how full a swing you make. The player will retrieve the ball and re-tee it [Decision 18-2a/19].

2. Hitting a stray ball would be considered “practice.” The penalty for making a practice stroke is two strokes (loss of hole in match play). A full practice shot is not permitted anywhere, not even with a stray ball. The only practicing permitted during a round is putting or chipping on or near the putting green of the last hole played or the teeing ground of the next hole [Rule 7-2]. Please remember that any such putting or chipping should not be done if the players behind you are ready to hit onto the green or the next hole is free for you to begin play.

Linda 

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #339- Clubhead separates from shaft

Linda -

1. In league play last night 3 out of the 4 players were on the green. The fourth player was just on the fringe, but closer than two of the other players. What is the ruling on who putts first? I always thought it was the player farthest away, even if other players were on the fringe and able to take advantage of the flag.

2. What happens if you are swinging at the ball, the clubhead comes off, and your ball travels 3 feet? Two questions here: Do you have to play the ball where it lies and are now hitting 3? And, can you replace that club with another one during your round? You didn't break it on purpose, it was faulty.

Thanks,

Lulu

Dear Lulu,

The answer to your first question depends on whether the competition was match play or stroke play. In match play, the ball farther from the hole is always played first. There is no penalty for playing out of turn. However, if you do hit first when your ball is closer to the hole, your opponent has the right to make you replay the shot [Rule 10-1b, c].

In stroke play, as in match play, the ball farthest from the hole is played first. The difference from match play is that in stroke play there is no penalty if a player hits out of turn. Players often encourage their fellow competitors to hit their ball onto the green, regardless of which ball is farther from the hole. This helps with pace of play, since you will not have to remove the flagstick for the player putting and then replace it for the player off the green.

In stroke play it is usually best to get everyone on the green and then remove the flagstick. In match play there is strategy involved with playing in the correct order, so you would rarely want to deviate from the rule.

In your second question, your clubhead separates from the shaft during your swing and the ball moves three feet. That swing counts as one stroke, since you were trying to hit the ball. You will play the ball as it lies [Decisions 14/3 and 14/5]. Since the club is now unfit for play, you may replace it with any club. However, you may not delay play to replace it, and you may not borrow a club from another player [Rule 4-3a, iii].

Linda 

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #338-Preferred lies for dropping zones

Dear Linda,

Some time ago, I played at a resort golf course with a few holes having dropping zones for a ball in the water hazards. In each of these dropping zones, there is a signage indicating that preferred lies is applicable after dropping a ball in the dropping zone. I think the intent is good because the dropping zones are filled with divots. After dropping a ball in the dropping zone, the ball may roll into a divot, which would then add on to the agony of the player concerned. By allowing preferred lies in a dropping zone, if the dropped ball rolls into a divot, the player has the option to play his ball within 6 inches or within a score card length on a nice turf before playing his next shot. This would help to speed up the game without adding agony to the player concerned.

However, I am wondering whether the above local rule is within the rules of golf. On the day concerned, we play the ball as it lies (i.e., preferred lies is NOT applicable). Also, it appears to me that the dropping zones are not relocated on a regular basis based on the presence of many divots.

I would appreciate your comments on whether there can be a local rule allowing preferred lies in dropping zones when preferred lies is not applicable for the day of play.

Thank you and best regards

Lou Lou

Dear Lou Lou,

When a Committee decides to permit “preferred lies,” it is allowed to specify a limited area. Even though you are playing the ball as it lies everywhere else, there is no reason why a Committee cannot write a Local Rule that states that preferred lies will be in effect for all designated dropping zones [Appendix I, Part B, 4c].

Linda 

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #337-Offering to move your marker

Hi Linda,

I golf each week with a large group of girls. Recently a few questions have come up with regard to marking or already marked balls on the green. Not how to do it, but moving balls or markers in another player's putting line. There is some debate as to what is OK to say to another player without incurring a penalty.

The confusion seems to be if it is OK to say to another player who is putting: "Do you want me to move my marker?" or "Is my marker in your way?" or "Does my marker bother you?"

Is this a penalty situation? Also, how about in team play vs. individual stroke play? Is there a rule against this?

Thank you. Your answer will clear up a lot of confusion!

Lulu

Dear Lulu,

There is no rule against asking a player if she would like you to move your marker on the green. It is a common question and a courtesy. It may also help with the pace of play if you can mark your ball and move your marker without a return trip.

If another player objects to your asking that question, then simply mark your ball and await any further instruction to move your marker.

There is no penalty for being courteous in any form of match or stroke play.

Linda 

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #336-Ball moved

Dear Linda,

What is the definition of "ball moved"? Is it considered as moved when the ball just vibrates slightly but does not move away from its original resting place? Should a player be penalized when he accidentally touches his ball (by hands, by a ball marker or by a club) and causes the ball to vibrate but not move away?

Thank you,

Lou Lou

Dear Lou Lou,

The Definition of a moved ball is as follows: “A ball is deemed to have ‘moved’ if it leaves its position and comes to rest in any other place.” If the ball oscillates but then returns to its original position, it has not moved. Let’s take a look at your three examples:

1. If you purposely touch your ball in play, you are penalized one stroke. If it moves, you must replace it [Rule 18-2a].

2. If you touch your ball with a club in the act of addressing it, then

    a. if the ball oscillates but then returns to its original position, there is no penalty [Decision 18/2];

    b. if the ball moves, you must replace it and you will incur a one-stroke penalty.

3. If you accidentally move your ball in the process of marking it, there is no penalty and the ball or ball marker must be replaced [Rule 20-1]. The key here is that the movement of the ball must be directly attributable to the act of marking it. If your putter slips out of your hand and moves the ball as you’re bending over to mark it, you are subject to the one-stroke penalty.

Linda 

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #335-Putt hits clubs on green

Dear Linda,

As Rules Chairperson of our women's golf association I was asked a question about Rule 19.  In researching this question, I found that I needed to understand the definitions of Competitor, Fellow Competitor, Side, Partner, and Outside Agency.  If A, B, C, and D are 4 ladies playing in a stroke play competition I would like to know if I am interpreting the definitions properly:

                  A and B and C and D are "competitors" in a stroke play competition

                  Neither A, nor B, nor C, nor D are "partners"

                  Neither A, nor B, nor C, nor D are "opponents"

                  A is a "side", B is a "side", C is a "side" , and D is a "side"  

                  Each of A, B, C, and D are "fellow competitors"

                  Any agency other than the competitor's side or equipment of the competitor's side is an "outside agency."  

Suppose A's putt struck B's clubs on the green.  Are B and her equipment considered an "Outside Agency?"  And if so is there is no penalty to A?

I would appreciate help with this one since it seems as though there should be a penalty to someone.

Thanks,

Lulu

Dear Lulu,

Thank you for reminding my readers about the need to understand the Definitions in order to understand the Rules. This is the reason why the Definitions precede the Rules.

Let’s take a look at your interpretations, all of which are exactly correct except the one I numbered “5”:

1. All four players in an individual stroke play competition are labeled “competitors.”

2. Since I’m assuming, from your context, that this is an individual tournament, none of these players has a “partner.”

3. The term “opponent” is used only in match play.

4. As illogical as it may sound, each competitor is a “side.” If this were a tournament using partners, then the partners would be referred to as a “side.”

5. When players are competing in groups of four, then each of the four players is a competitor, and each one has three “fellow competitors.” Player A’s three fellow competitors are B, C, and D.

6. In stroke play, a fellow competitor’s equipment is an “outside agency.”

Now let’s take a look at your question, remembering that this is a stroke play ruling. If Player A putts, and her ball strikes Player B’s clubs, there is no penalty to anyone. Player B’s clubs are an outside agency to Player A. When you hit your ball and it strikes an outside agency, this is what is known as a “rub of the green.” The ball must be played as it lies [Rules 19-4 and 19-1].

Note that this is one of those rare instances where you are permitted to rectify the problem while the ball is in motion. If Player B (or anyone else in the vicinity) notices Player A’s ball heading towards B’s clubs, she may move them out of the way [Rule 24-1a, last paragraph before the Note].

These rulings are not limited to the putting green. In stroke play, any time you hit another player’s equipment, it is a rub of the green and you will play the ball as it lies. And any player may move her equipment (or anyone else’s equipment, except equipment of the player who hit the ball) out of the path of an oncoming ball.

The difference in match play is that the player has two options: (1) she may play the ball as it lies, just as in stroke play, or (2) she may cancel the stroke and replay it (not an option in stroke play). There is no penalty to anyone attached to either option.

I would hope that players would take the utmost care, when placing their clubs on a green, to find a remote spot safely out of range of every other player’s putt and the path it might take if it goes beyond the hole.

Linda 

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #334-Relief from poison ivy

Dear Linda,

Can a player take relief from having to stand in poison ivy in order to take her next shot?

Lulu

Dear Lulu,

There is no free relief from poison ivy. If you prefer not to play the ball as it lies, you may declare it unplayable and proceed under one of the options in Rule 28 (Ball Unplayable).

Poison ivy is a common occurrence on a golf course. While it may be unpleasant, it is not dangerous in the same way a rattlesnake, a bees’ nest, or a crocodile would be [Decision 1-4/11].

Please remember that golf is a game. Don’t be a hero if nothing important is at stake.

Linda  

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #333-Line of Play

Dear Linda

What is your understanding of Reasonable Distance when it comes to Line of Play?

Last week I drew attention to a fellow competitor that he had perhaps improved his lie on his line of play. He was 20 yards from the green and I saw him repair a scuff mark between him and the pin. When I asked him about this, he said that he had made the scuff mark with his putter when he walked forward to test the degree of the slope and therefore was entitled to repair it. Subsequently I discovered that Decision 13-2/29 states: If a player worsens the lie of his ball, the area of his intended stance or swing, his line of play or a reasonable extension of that line beyond the hole, or the area in which he is to drop or place a ball, he is not entitled to restore that area to its original condition. If he does so, he is in breach of Rule 13-2 and incurs a penalty of loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play.

The question then arose as to what is meant by a reasonable distance on either side of the intended direction. I suggested that perhaps a club length either side would be a good marker. He disagreed. How would you have ruled and what is your interpretation of a reasonable distance?

Kind regards

Lou Lou from Perth, Australia 

Dear Lou Lou,

Line of Play is defined as the direction the player wishes his ball to take after a stroke, and includes a reasonable distance on both sides of that intended direction. “Reasonable” cannot be defined as “one club length.” It is assumed that golfers will use common sense in deciding what distance is reasonable.

If a player worsens his line of play, he is not permitted to restore it to its original condition. When your fellow competitor repaired the scuff mark on his line of play, he violated Rule 13-2. His penalty is two strokes (loss of hole in match play). Good etiquette would dictate that he repair the scuff mark after he completes play of the hole.

Linda 

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #332-Hitting rake intentionally

 August 3

Hello Linda,

Recently, as I played my 2nd shot from the side of the green at a par 3 hole, I noticed the rake had been placed previously outside the bunker and directly across it. Instead of chipping over the bunker from a bare lie, I putted the ball at the rake handle and this then jumped the ball over the bunker to within a foot of the hole. It was a shot in a thousand and as it was only a social round of golf it mattered little as to if it was a legal shot. This situation may never again arise, but what would be the ruling if it did?

Lou Lou

Dear Lou Lou,

There is nothing in the Rules to prohibit you from intentionally caroming a shot off a movable obstruction. The Rules state that you may take relief from a movable obstruction (such as a rake), but not that you must. Your action was as legal as it was unusual.

Linda 

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #331-Practice during Stableford

Hi Linda,

I had a question about practice during competition. Can you practiced putts on last hole played in a stableford competition?

Thank you,

Lou Lou

Dear Lou Lou,

Stablefords are a form of stroke play, so stroke play rules will apply. Accordingly, competitors in a Stableford competition are permitted to practice putting or chipping on or near the putting green of the last hole played or the teeing ground of the next hole to be played. Players are not permitted to practice in a hazard. Nor are they permitted to practice if doing so would delay play for anyone [Rule 7-2].

Linda 

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.