Ask Linda #393-When one ball strikes another

Dear Linda,

Two weeks ago, our foursome had an unusual thing happen and none of us knew quite what to do.  In the fairway, I took my second stroke and my ball hit someone else’s ball that was in the fairway, resulting in the other person’s ball landing in the rough and mine in the fairway.  Do I get penalized and do we just leave the balls where they landed or does the other person move hers back where it was?

Sincerely,

Lulu

Dear Lulu,

There is no penalty to anyone. The player whose ball struck the other player’s ball will play her own ball as it lies. The player whose ball was moved must replace it [Rule 18-5].

I’m sure you will agree that if would be unfair for a player to have to hit from the rough when her original shot landed in the fairway

Linda 

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #392-Misconduct?

Linda,

I'd be most grateful if you could answer this question, which has caused a minor rift in our Saturday golfing group.

We often play a friendly competitive match on Saturdays, drawing cards for opponents. Last week an unusual situation arose which had us looking in the rulebook but with no answer to be found!

Both Player A and Player B's balls are on the green, Player B arrives on the green first and discovering Player A's ball on his putting line, marks Player A's ball and tosses it to the side of the green.

Player A arrives at the green, not knowing his ball has been moved, marks and then plays his ball from the incorrect location. Player B then claims Player A has played from a wrong position and claimed the hole.

Regards,

Lou

Dear Lou,

There is no penalty to Player A, whose ball was moved by Player B. The bad news for Player B is that he will either lose the hole or be disqualified from the match.

Here is how it all plays out under the Rules:

When Player B lifts Player A’s ball on the green, without Player A’s knowledge and permission, Player B incurs a one-stroke penalty for moving Player A’s ball. This is a match play rule [Rule 18-3b].

Player B is required to inform his opponent when he incurs a penalty, and he must do so before his opponent plays his next stroke. Since Player B did not inform Player A that he incurred a penalty for lifting Player A’s ball, Player B loses the hole for giving wrong information [Rule 9-2b(i)].

However, there is a much more serious matter to consider here – the question of why Player B did not tell Player A that his ball was not in the correct place, allowed him to putt that ball, and then claimed the hole for himself. This matter needs to be brought before the Committee. The Committee must determine why Player B acted as he did. If it is determined that the motive was malicious (i.e., that Player B was trying to trick Player A into losing the hole), then Player B should be disqualified under Rule 33-7 for a serious breach of etiquette. On the other hand, if it is determined that Player B’s indiscretion was accidental (perhaps he wasn’t paying attention, or he simply forgot), then the ruling would be that he lost the hole.

I sincerely hope that this was a “senior moment” rather than a planned misdeed on the part of Player B. Good sportsmanship is an essential ingredient in a game that is usually played without the supervision of officials.

Linda 

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Linda 

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #391-Hit provisional, find original

Dear Linda,

I wasn’t sure if I would find my tee shot, so I hit a provisional ball. When I got to the area I thought my ball was, I searched for three minutes and did not find the ball. I then hit the provisional. Right after, I walked forward about ten steps and found my original ball. Was I allowed to hit the original?

Thanks,

Lulu

Dear Lulu,

No. You are permitted to play a provisional ball until you reach the area where you will begin searching for your original ball. You reached that area, began your search, and did not find your original. As soon as you hit the provisional again from that area, it becomes your ball in play [Rule 27-2b]. Your original is now “lost” [Definition of Lost Ball].

Linda 

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #390-Practice on course

Linda,

We play a 9-hole competition every Tuesday, alternating between the front nine and back nine. My question is can I play the front nine before the competition, which is on the back nine that day, or is that considered practicing on the course?

Many thanks

Lou

Dear Lou,

You may practice on the nine holes that are not part of the competition course.

In stroke play, you are not permitted to practice on the competition course before your round on the day of the competition [Rule 7-1b]. If the competition is on the front nine, then the back nine would not be considered the competition course.

The rule is different for match play. You are always permitted to practice on the competition course before a round in a match play event.

Linda 

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #388b-Music, music, music

Dear readers,

I am surprised by the animated responses I have received in reaction to the issue of listening to music while playing golf. I will not comment on the somewhat whimsical nature of this rule–I feel it is my place to explain the rules, not question their logic. However, I enjoyed the letters printed below, and thought I would share them with you.

Happy holidays to everyone! May you all enjoy this fascinating and challenging game in 2012 and for many years to come.

Linda

Dear Linda,

Happy Holidays!

I would like to ask the many persons who oppose the use of iPods and music listening as a relaxing/concentration/enjoyment tool the following question:

DO we need to come up with a rule that would forbid drinking a beer if the reason is to relax, focus and thus aid you in making a stroke and if it is for your added enjoyment of the game then it is okay…???????

I know Rule 14 refers to electronic/artificial devices but shouldn’t “artificial” include beer, Xanax before/during a round… The reason and effect are the same.

There is so much rude behavior on the course like not raking bunkers, cussing, riding on carts so close to greens, smoking cigarettes and tobacco and leaving the butts or remains on the green, and we worry about such a small little tiny gadget.......

There is a New Decision on this topic. As I understand it, if you have the right answer, (“just because I like it!”  …ridiculous) you will be allowed to listen to music but not while making a stroke or for an extended period of time. Please comment and forward to other readers…

Lulu in Puerto Rico

Hi Linda,

Congratulations once again on your answers–  Fantastic.

As for rules - for and against - I have always worked on the assumption that if it is not in the rules book, then it is legal!

Nowhere in the rules does it say that it is illegal to listen to music.

People can say (or imagine) whatever, can and will interpret the rules many different ways, but are these people splitting straws because they are not happy within themselves or just being bloody-minded and vindictive?

As for it being dangerous, my goodness!!!  What game is not dangerous? Even playing cards can be dangerous. If you cheat, someone might shoot you. Being hit by a bullet would hurt a lot more than a golf ball.

Nit-picking people should take a look at themselves and perhaps take up another profession (or hobby) and become comedians and forget about

the dangers of listening to music wherever they may be.

I just love taking the mickey out of people like this.

This time of the year is a time of Joy, Happiness and Goodwill, so have a VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS and I send you all the best for the New Year from the sunny south.

Our traditional Xmas in New Zealand is swimming, fishing, sailing and indulging in outdoor activities and playing a round of golf wearing our lightest summer clothes.

Kindest regards from New Zealand,

Lou

Ask Linda #389-Ball moved by gravity

Dear Linda,

Can you help with the following query? While putting out in a medal round I placed the ball on the green and lifted the marker, but due to the slope on the green the ball moved forward towards the hole.  Should I have putted from where the ball ended up or replaced the ball to where we thought the original marker was and then putt out? 

Thanks

Lulu

Dear Lulu,

Gravity has the same status as wind. Neither is an outside agency. Accordingly, if a ball replaced on the putting green and at rest subsequently moves because of gravity or wind, the ball must be played from its new position [Decision 18-1/12].

Linda 

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #388a-Listening to music

I don't think you are right there, Linda. To wear a headset to listen to music during a round is not only a breach of Etiquette and dangerous but also a breach of 14-3. Such music "might assist him in making a stroke or in his play."

Lulu

Dear Lulu,

I will agree that it would be rude (and possibly dangerous) to listen to music if you are golfing with friends. I can’t imagine why you would want to do so if you had company, and I have yet to see anyone doing so.

Any breach of 14-3 would depend on the individual’s reason for listening. For example, if the purpose were to calm his nerves, that would be a clear breach of the Rules because it would assist him in his play. However, there is no breach if he is playing alone and the purpose of the music is to add to his enjoyment of the day. 

Linda

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved. 

Ask Linda #387a-May you re-tee?

Hi Linda

Re your sentence in Ask Linda #387: "you may not re-tee if the ball was knocked off the tee", possibly I misunderstand you.

Based on Decision18-2a/2 the player may re-tee, however with 1 penalty stroke – do you agree?

Regards –Lulu

Dear Lulu,

When I answered the reader’s question in #387, I thought she was asking whether she could simply re-tee the ball and start the hole over if her swing knocked the ball off the tee. The answer to that question is “no.”

If your swing knocks the ball off the tee, yes, you may re-tee the ball. However, if you make the decision to re-tee, you are playing your next shot under stroke and distance (albeit a very short distance). Your second tee shot is your third shot on the hole.

Linda

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #388-Sound-deadening headset

Dear Linda,

  

Is it allowed to wear a headset to avoid "noise" from cars, helicopters, greenkeepers, other players...

Kind regards,

Lou from Belgium

Dear Lou,

No. A sound-deadening headset would be ruled an unconventional device that would assist you in your play. This is a violation of Rule 14-3, and it carries a two-stroke penalty (loss of hole in match play).

You are, however, permitted to wear a headset to listen to music.

Linda 

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #387-Touching ball with club

Hi Linda,

A friend asked about the rulings on touching the ball with the club on the fairway. Does it count a penalty if the ball doesn't move off the spot? Also is there a 2-stroke penalty for touching the ball in the tee box? I need to know if you address the ball and accidentally knock the ball off the tee and also if you swing and nip the ball and it falls off the tee.

I thought I knew these two rules but a friend says her other associate says something different.

Lulu

Dear Lulu,

A ball on the fairway is in play. If a player accidentally touches her ball in play with her club when she addresses it, and the ball does not move off the spot, then there is no penalty [Rule 18-2a(i)]. If the ball is moved, there is a one-stroke penalty and the ball must be replaced.

A ball on the teeing ground is not in play until the player has made a stroke at it. Accordingly, when a player addresses the ball on the tee and accidentally knocks it off, there is no penalty and she may re-tee the ball. The same is true if she takes a practice swing that accidentally hits the ball, even if the ball is moved a considerable distance.

A player has made a stroke at the ball when she takes a swing with the intention of hitting it. If that stroke misses the ball entirely (a “whiff”), or if it just nips the ball and knocks it off the tee, it is a stroke and the ball is played where it lies (you may not re-tee if the ball was knocked off the tee). There is no penalty, but the swing counts as the player’s first stroke.

Linda  

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #386-Drop wrong ball

Dear Linda

Yesterday at golf I took relief from a staked tree. I inserted a tee peg at the point where I obtained relief and another at one club's length. I then dropped a ball between the two tee pegs. Before I played my shot I noticed when I was picking up the tee pegs that my original ball was still against the tree. What I had done was drop another ball from my pocket. I called my marker's attention to my error. I then picked up the substituted ball and dropped my original ball and proceeded to play it.

My question is:

1. By dropping another ball, did that ball become the ball in play?

2. Did I incur a penalty even though I corrected my error?

Another senior moment.

Kind regards

Lou from Perth, Australia

Dear Lou,

Fortunately for you, senior Lou, this is a correctable error. When you drop a wrong ball, you may lift it and drop the correct ball, provided you have not played the wrong ball. There is no penalty for correcting your error [Rule 20-6]. The same would hold true if you dropped the correct ball in a wrong place.

Linda  

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #385-Drop on green

Hi Linda,

I know that you have addressed this before, but I have a situation in which one of my best friends will not concede that I made my drop correctly. Here’s what happened. It was a 185 yard par 3 with a lateral water hazard (marked with red stakes) behind the green. It was not actually water, but a brushy area that fell off into a canyon. The green has an approximately 3 foot collar (first cut of rough) around it. I hit my ball from the tee, and it hit on the green. The ball rolled off the back of the green and into the hazard. I found my ball in a bush, but it was not playable. I opted to drop 2 club-lengths from the point where the ball entered the hazard, but not closer to the hole. Because the collar was only 3 foot wide, my drop was onto the green. I then putted out. I was using Rule 26-1c. My friend is convinced that I violated the rules, and that you can never drop onto a green. He has quoted me Rule 20-2ciii, and tells me the ball cannot be dropped onto the green EVER. He cites the second part of the sentence that states “and comes to rest on the green” as his justification. Was I legal in dropping on the green?

Lou

Dear Lou,

I understand that this is a difficult ruling to understand, but your drop onto the green was completely legal.

When you choose to take relief for a ball in a lateral water hazard under Rule 26-1c, the only restrictions are that you must drop it (1) within two club-lengths and (2) no closer to the hole. If the area meeting those two requirements turns out to be on the green, then you are a lucky fellow.

The same holds true for an unplayable ball. If your ball were unplayable in the roots of a tree near a putting green, and the nearest relief within two club-lengths and no closer to the hole were on the green, you would be permitted to drop on the green.

Neither the water hazard rule nor the unplayable ball rule prohibits you from dropping on the putting green. On the other hand, when you are taking free relief from an immovable obstruction, an abnormal ground condition, or a wrong putting green, the rules [24-2b, 25-1, 25-3] state clearly that if your ball lies through the green, then you are not permitted to drop in a hazard or on a putting green. This is where Rule 20-2c (iii) comes into play. It states that a ball must be re-dropped if it rolls onto a putting green, and refers only to balls that are not permitted to be dropped on a green.

When your two club-length relief from a lateral water hazard or an unplayable condition is on the green, you are dropping a ball on the green. You have not dropped a ball off the green that rolls onto the green. Therefore, you are not governed by Rule 20-2c (iii).

It is important to remember that when you are proceeding under a particular rule, it is that rule that governs your actions. There are specific rules for taking relief from water hazards [Rule 26] and unplayable balls [Rule 28], and you must observe the relief procedures described in those rules when your ball is in the water or unplayable.

It is perfectly understandable that golfers find these different rulings difficult to understand. I hope my answer has helped to clarify these rules for you and your friend.

Linda  

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #384-Accidentally lifting marker

Dear Linda 

Situation at golf today - player on last green marked ball, then measured distance from hole for nearest the pin - then measured another player's ball - discovered his marker in hand. Should he have replaced his ball as near as possible to the original position taking a one-stroke penalty?  He actually disqualified himself.

Thanks,

Lulu

Dear Lulu,

When a ball marker is marking the position of a ball, it has the same status as a ball. Lifting the marker, therefore, is equivalent to lifting your ball in play. The penalty is one stroke, and the player must replace the ball or the marker [Rule 18-2a].

Imposing a disqualification penalty on yourself for an infraction that only requires a one-stroke penalty is a poignant illustration of why it is so important to know the rules.

Linda  

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #383-Ball at rest

Linda,

Many thanks for my inclusion on your Mailing List. It is very much appreciated.

And now… Can you please inform me “When is a Ball at Rest”?

I note there is mention of a Ball at Rest for 10 seconds in Rule 16-2, but this relates to a specific incident.  Decision 16-2/0.5 mentions 5 seconds, but again, this relates to a specific incident.

I cannot find any mention of “a Ball is at Rest when …” in the Rules or Decisions Book. Is there any?

There are many occasions, on all parts of the Course, when it is important to know if a ball is at rest.

Is a ball at rest when it remains in the same position for a certain given period of time and, if so, what is that time period and where can I find it mentioned in the Rules or Decisions Book?

I look forward to your views.

Kind regards,

Lou

Dear Lou,

A ball is “at rest” when it has come to a stop. Except for the unique situation of a ball overhanging the hole (where you are entitled to wait ten seconds to see if it will drop into the hole), there is no rule that specifies how long the ball must be motionless before it is deemed to be “at rest.” I cannot imagine the need for such a rule.

The rules regarding a ball at rest have to do with moving it. There are rulings for when a ball at rest is moved by a player, his opponent, his fellow competitor, his caddy, equipment, during or not during search, the wind, water, etc.

After you hit a ball, you can assume that by the time you reach it the ball is at rest. Any subsequent movement of the ball can be attributed to the action of a player or of nature.

Linda 

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #382-Relief from tree stump

Linda, first I need to say thank you for your blog. You have been very helpful.

In a stroke play competition my ball ended up against a tree stump. A fairly large tree was removed and the stump that is left in the ground protrudes about three inches above the ground. Is there free relief from this situation?

If the tree were still there, the answer is obvious that there is no free relief.

As the stump is the result of an attempt to remove the tree, is this now considered an obstruction?

I do not think free relief is allowed, but I am interested in your understanding of the rules. My fellow competitors suggested that I could gain relief so I played two balls. I scored bogey with each ball so it was never brought up to the rules committee.

What would the correct ruling have been?

Thanks,

Lou

Dear Lou,

A stump is simply a very short tree – no free relief [Decision 25/8].

Linda 

Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.