Ask Linda #549-Search exceeds 5 minutes

Linda, what is the penalty when a player takes more then 5 minutes looking for a ball?

Lulu

Dear Lulu,

Once the five-minute search time has expired, the ball is deemed lost [Definition of Lost Ball]. The player must play a ball from the spot where she originally hit the ball, adding a one-stroke penalty to her score. This is known as playing a ball under stroke and distance.

If the player finds her ball after the five minutes have elapsed and plays it, she has played a wrong ball. In match play, she loses the hole. In stroke play, the penalty is two strokes, and she must correct her error by playing a ball under stroke and distance before she tees off on the next hole. If the error is not corrected, she is disqualified [Rule 15-3; Decision 27/8].

Linda

Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #548-NPR from path near green

Dear Lou,

The nearest point of relief (NPR) must be no closer to the hole, and must not be in a hazard or on a putting green [Rule 24-2b]. Judging from your diagram, and assuming a typical cart path width, the NPR for a ball at B1 will be on the left side of the path (the side away from the putting green). If the entire left side of the path is a lateral water hazard, the NPR would appear to be about 2 inches down the left side of your diagram, to the right of the cart path.

The same answer would hold true for a ball at B2, assuming your diagram is drawn to scale. If it is not, the NPR might be 2 inches down on the right side of the cart path or to the left of the cart path. You would need to measure both distances and choose the location closest to your ball.

Linda

Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #547-Interference for right-handed swing

1.     Player is right-handed.

2.     Fence interferes with player stance and swing.

3.     Distance between cart path  and fence ranges from 6 inches to 1 foot.

4.     If the player opts to play left-handed, stance is on cart path.

5.     B1 – location of the ball.

6.     Left side of cart path is through the green.

7.     Right side of cart path is fairway.

QUESTION:

1.     What are the player’s options?

2.     Where is the nearest point of relief?

3.     If the ball is in the drainage, B2, can the player take relief and play on the cart path?

Dear Lou,

The only chance this player has to hit the ball is to turn around and hit it left-handed. He is entitled to do so. This is a textbook example of a player being entitled to relief for an abnormal shot, since an abnormal shot (a left-handed stroke for a right-handed player) is reasonable in this scenario [Decision 24-2b/17].

There is no free relief from an out-of-bounds fence. However, since the player’s stance will be on the cart path for a left-handed stroke, he is entitled to relief from the path, which is an immovable obstruction. There is not sufficient room for relief between the cart path and the fence – one foot is not wide enough for a stance and swing. The nearest relief will be on the fairway, which is on the right side of the cart path. After the player drops his ball on the fairway, he may turn around and hit it right-handed.

In seeking relief from the drainage ditch (ball at B2), the player must find the nearest point of relief no closer to the hole and drop within one club-length of that spot. If that spot is on the cart path, he must drop his ball on the cart path. 

If the ball remains on the cart path after the drop, he may hit the ball as it lies on the cart path or take relief for a ball lying on an immovable obstruction. His next drop will be on the fairway.

I would recommend that you read two very interesting Decisions related to your questions: 24-2b/17 and 24-2b/9.5. You will find them on the USGA website: http://www.usga.org/default.aspx. Put your cursor on RULES (top left), and click on RULES AND DECISIONS. On the left, click on Rule 24, Obstructions. On the right, under Decisions, scroll down and click on the above-mentioned Decisions.

Linda

Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

                 

                                                                                                           

                                                                                                           

Ask Linda #546-Match play boondoggle

Dear Linda,

A and B are playing a four ball match against C and D. A is on the green with a putt for a bogey.

B is in a greenside hazard. B makes "air" swings in the hazard that don't touch the ground or water, but brush the top of the growing grasses in the hazard. B then plays her shot onto the green close to the hole and taps in for a par. A picks up her ball. C and D both bogey the hole. Then C and D claim that B had a 2 stroke penalty for touching the grass in the hazard and is therefore out of the hole, and that since A picked up she is out of the hole also, so C and D claim they won the hole. A and B don't know their rules well enough to disagree and let C and D win the hole on their claim.

My thoughts: The note to 13-4 says that it was not a penalty for B to touch the growing grass in the hazard. A and B should have known their rules better, or should have known to not agree to C and D's claim until they found an official. But, is there anything in the rules (maybe an equity thing?) that requires C and D to notify A and B of the claimed penalty before A picks up her ball?  

Thanks - Love your emails.

Lulu

Dear Lulu,

In match play, if there is disagreement among the players that cannot be resolved, a player may file a claim to be reviewed later by the Committee. This claim must be made before any player hits from the next tee [Rule 2-5].

In the scenario you describe, there was no dispute. Team A-B agreed with team C-D’s mistaken assertion that A-B lost the hole because B supposedly incurred a two-stroke penalty and A, unfortunately, picked up, thereby removing herself from contention.

If A and B had stood their ground and insisted that the claim by C and D be resolved by an official, the claim would have been reviewed by a Committee member later on or after the round. A and B would have been awarded the hole. However, A and B did not know the Rule and therefore were swayed by the argument of C and D. The result of the hole stands, with C and D winning the hole.

There is no requirement to inform a player of a Rules violation (real or supposed) committed by her partner before she picks up her ball. The deadline for discussion is before anyone hits from the next tee.

This unfortunate incident is a wonderful argument for the importance of knowing the Rules. In the absence of knowledge, players A and B should have at least requested that the matter be resolved by an official.

Linda

Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #545-Relief for unplayable in bunker

Linda, a thought occurred to me today as I was contemplating getting out of a sand bunker after landing in a footprint that someone didn't bother to rake. I know if I take an unplayable lie, I can take my ball back as far as I would like. Does this hold true in a sand bunker or do I have to keep the ball within the bunker and would it be a drop or a placement?

Thanks,

Lulu from South Carolina

Dear Lulu,

I answered this question back in 2009 (Ask Linda #130), so it’s probably a good time to reprint it.

If you decide to declare your ball unplayable in a bunker, you have three options, the first of which will permit you to take the ball out of the bunker. Whichever option you choose, you must add a one-stroke penalty to your score. Here are your choices:

1. Return to where you hit your previous shot and hit another. This is the option to choose if you want to get out of the bunker; it is the only one that allows you to do so.

2. Drop a ball behind where your ball lies in the bunker on an imaginary line that starts at the hole, goes through your ball, and ends at the back of the bunker. If you choose this option the ball must be dropped in the bunker.

3. Drop a ball within two club-lengths of where your ball lies in the bunker, no closer to the hole. If you choose this option the ball must be dropped in the bunker.

Please remember that when you drop the ball you must stand tall and drop the ball from shoulder height and at arm’s length (picture yourself as an upside-down letter L).

Note that you (and only you) are permitted to declare your ball unplayable anywhere on the course except in a water hazard.

I have observed some stubborn, unwise golfers over the years hack away at a ball that was clearly unplayable lodged under the lip of a bunker. Don’t be afraid to use some good judgment and take relief for an unplayable ball. Sometimes that one-stroke penalty is really a gift in disguise!

Linda

Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #544-How to move ball on green

Hello Linda,

A player's ball was in the line of another player's putt. He placed his putter head beside the ball and moved the ball the length of his putter head. After placing the ball in a new position, he marked it with a coin. The other player said this was incorrect. He said the player should have marked his ball, then moved the coin away from his line.

Is there a right and wrong way?

Thank you

Lou

Dear Lou,

When a player’s ball on the green has not yet been marked and lifted, and he is asked to move his ball to the side because it is on another player’s line of putt, he has two choices:

(1) Mark the ball, lift it, measure one club-head length to the side of the marker, and place the marker on the new spot.

(2) Place the putter to the side of the ball and put a marker down on the other side of the putter head.

Both procedures are correct [Decision 20-1/16]. The player must reverse his procedure when he replaces the ball. I always choose the second procedure – anything to save time.

Be careful to line up your move with a stationary object (trees work well, geese do not), so that you will replace your ball in the correct spot.

I always recommend that players place their marker upside-down on the green. This is a fail-safe way to remember to move your marker back before you replace your ball and putt.

Linda

Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #543-Is this a par or a birdie?

Linda, my partner and I are playing another twosome in Match Play. We are having a tough hole. My partner is on the green in 4 and has a stroke. I have a bogey putt left and no stroke so I pick up. One of our opponents makes a birdie putt and misses but she has a 1-foot putt so we concede her putt. Her playing partner has a 25 foot birdie putt left but she picks up because her partner is in with a par to win the hole. The woman who picked up is a 9 handicap. My thinking is she should score the hole as a par because that is what she would usually shoot on the hole. She wouldn't normally make a 25-foot birdie putt, but she would usually make a par from 25 feet. We argued today as she said the hole was conceded to her partner so she gets to count the hole as if she had made the birdie putt. Is this true?

Lulu

Dear Lulu,

When the player posts her score for the round, she must calculate her Most Likely Score for any hole that is not completed. In this case, she may assume two putts from 25 feet and score the hole as a par.

Here is how Most Likely Score is defined in The USGA Handicap System manual:

A "most likely score" is the score a player must post for handicap purposes if a hole is started but not completed or if the player is conceded a stroke. The most likely score consists of the number of strokes already taken plus, in the player's best judgment, the number of strokes the player would take to complete the hole from that position more than half the time. This number may not exceed the player's Equitable Stroke Control limit.

Linda

Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #542-Using putter to check slope

Hi there, Linda. Hope you are doing well and enjoying the summer and all this hot weather.  Question:  can you lay your putter on the green to check out the slope of the green?  Can't wait to see if we agree.  Take care, Lulu

Dear Lulu,

Hmmm… Rule 14-3 states that a player may not use any equipment in an unusual manner for the purpose of measuring conditions that might affect her play. (Exception: Using your putter as a plumb-line is permitted – Decision 14-3/12.) Based on this information, I’m going to conclude that a player may not place her putter on the green to check out the slope.

Take a look at Decision 14-3/12.5. In this Decision, a player is penalized for placing a bottle of water on the green to gauge the slope. She receives a two-stroke/loss of hole penalty because she has used equipment in an unusual manner to help her in her play. However, a player may place a bottle of water on the green if there is no intent to use it to gauge the slope.

I believe the same ruling would be in effect for the putter. Merely placing a putter on the green while you chip a ball from the fringe is clearly permissible. Intentionally placing it to gauge the slope would constitute unusual use of equipment, which is not permitted.

Everything boils down to intent.

Linda

Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #541-Ball embeds in bunker

Hi Linda,

Can you please answer the following question:

The bunker had an overhang of grass turf (about 4 inches where the sand had fallen away underneath).  The ball embedded under the overhang in the sand under the grass turf.  The ball was unplayable.  What is the correct procedure?

Many thanks,

Lulu

Dear Lulu,

It is not uncommon for sand to wash away, creating an overhang of grass turf on the edge of a bunker. The question you must ask is: Where is the ball? The answer, in your scenario, is that it is in the bunker.

There is no free relief for a ball that embeds in sand in a bunker. If you decide that the ball is unplayable, you must choose one of the relief options for an unplayable ball [Rule 28]. Here are your choices, all of which are accompanied by a one-stroke penalty:

1. Play a ball from where you hit your previous shot. This is called playing under stroke and distance, and is the only option that allows you to take the ball out of the bunker.

2. Drop a ball in the bunker behind where your original ball lies on the line-of-sight to the hole.

3. Drop a ball in the bunker within two club-lengths of your original lie on a spot that is no closer to the hole.

Linda

Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #540-Removing dew

Linda, dew cannot be touched. Am I correct?

Lou

Dear Lou,

You are correct, Lou. A player is not permitted to improve his lie, the area of his intended stance or swing, or his line of play, by removing dew [Rule 13-2]. This is because dew is neither casual water nor a loose impediment [Definition of Casual Water; Definition of Loose Impediments].

Linda

Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda 539-Drop from rough to fairway

Linda, we do a lot of plantation in the rough and we get ONE club relief from these SAPLINGS if the ball is lying near or OBSTRUCTS the swing or stance. We have the LOCAL RULE to protect the PLANTATIONS. The one club-length relief sometimes one can bring the ball onto the FAIRWAY but not closer to the PIN. Is that PERMITTED?

Thank you

Lulu

Dear Lulu,

In taking relief from young trees (immovable obstructions), the Rules do not differentiate between rough and fairway [Decision 24-2b/8]. If you determine the nearest point of relief, and the one club-length drop from that point puts you on the fairway, you will drop on the fairway and rejoice in your good fortune.

Linda

Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #538-Knock ball away from hole

Linda, I was recently the victim of too much casual golf. I was playing in a tournament and my putt stopped inches from the hole. As I often do during casual play, I tapped the ball away from the hole. Before picking it up, I realized I had not holed out.

Do I count the tap as a stroke, then putt the ball from its new location?

What if I had picked up the ball?

Thank you

Lou

Dear Lou,

When you tapped the ball away from the hole, you touched your ball on purpose and caused it to move. Replace your ball, putt it, and add one penalty stroke to your score [Rule 18-2a]. This tap is not considered a stroke [Decision 18-2a/23].

If you had lifted your ball, the procedure and penalty would be the same – replace the ball and count one penalty stroke [Rule 18-2a].

Linda

Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #537-Lift ball to measure

Hi Linda,

I have searched through the rulebook but cannot find the answer to my query. On our course we have a local rule which allows you to move your ball without penalty if you are within 2 club lengths of a sprinkler head just off the green and the sprinkler head is in your line towards the hole. My question concerns whether you can lift the ball (and mark it, but not clean it) in order to measure 2 club lengths. I feel there is no need, but if someone does, is there a penalty of 2 strokes and loss of hole in match play? Obviously if the ball ends up being within 2 club lengths then one is permitted to lift and move, but what if it is outside the 2 club lengths? I would welcome your thoughts on this matter.

Yours,

Lou

Dear Lou,

Rule 20-1 talks about lifting a ball “under the Rules.” In other words, a ball may be lifted when a Rule permits you to do so.

The Local Rule that gives players relief from immovable obstructions (such as sprinkler heads) that are close to the putting green does not say: “Lift your ball and measure.” It tells you what to do if your ball lies within two club-lengths of an immovable obstruction that is within two club-lengths of the green on your line of play [Appendix I, Part B, #6].

Since this Local Rule does not give you permission to lift your ball prior to measuring, you may not do so. The penalty for lifting your ball in play is one stroke in both match and stroke play, and the ball must be replaced [Rule 18-2a].

The player is protected from accidentally moving the ball while measuring [Rule 18-2a, third bullet], so there is no reason to even think about lifting this ball. Take a look at Decision 18-6/1. This Decision talks about a player who has dropped a ball and needs to measure to find out whether the ball has rolled more than two club-lengths, which would require a re-drop. In measuring, he accidentally moves the ball. This player incurs no penalty for moving the ball. If it turns out that the ball has rolled too far, he must re-drop it; if it did not roll too far, he must replace it.

A good rule of thumb is never to touch your ball unless you can find a Rule that allows you to do so. There is no Rule that penalizes you for not touching your ball. When in doubt, play the ball as it lies.

Linda

Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #536-Stroke and distance

Linda,

My playing partner hit her ball into the trees. When we reached the place where we thought her ball was, we could not find it. She in turn went back to the tee box to hit a second ball, declaring she had a lost ball. Before she could tee off we found her ball and tried to alert her but she could not hear us and hit a second ball from the tee box. My understanding was that she had to return to the found ball even though she had hit a second ball from the tee box after declaring the first ball lost and then if she declared it unplayable she would have to go back and hit another ball from the tee box. My teammate said that once she approached the tee box a second time that ball was now in play regardless of whether the first ball was found before the five minute rule. And even if we had found it after she hit her second tee shot but before the five minute rule, the fact that she had left the tee box once and returned to the tee box a second time that second ball was now in play. Please advise who is correct. 

Kind regards,

Lulu

Dear Lulu,

Once a player returns to where she hit her previous shot and hits another ball, the new ball is in play and the old ball is lost. This is known as proceeding “under penalty of stroke and distance” [Rule 27-1a].

If the five-minute search time had not elapsed, and the player had heard you calling her back, she could have continued play with her original ball. As soon as she hit her second tee shot, her fate was sealed.

Linda

Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #535- Standing behind partner

Linda:

I would appreciate your advice on the following two related situations:

1. Can I ask my Partner to stand behind me on the tee to watch the line of my drive for purposes of finding the ball if it goes off-line, or, as my opponent claimed, is this in breach of Rule 14-2?

2. This relates to the word "behind" in the same rule:

I understand that a partnership cannot stand on the green in the sequence  partner === player & ball === hole, but what about the sequence player & ball === hole === partner? The word "behind" does not seem to preclude this, but would this scenario breach any other rule?

I have looked through your earlier blogs but can't find this referenced.

Much appreciate your excellent input and the service you provide.

Lou

Dear Lou,

No one on a player’s “team” (partner, caddie, or partner’s caddie) is permitted to stand behind the player on an extension of the line of play (or putt) behind the ball while the player is making a stroke [Rule 14-2b]. The reason is that positioning someone behind you might assist you in lining up your shot. If you watch golf tournaments, you will notice the caddie line up the player and then move aside before the player hits the ball. If you need help watching your shot, your partner should be able follow the flight of your ball from the side. If you allow him to stand behind you (to the right of a right-handed golfer), it will cost you two strokes (loss of hole in match play).

If your partner is inadvertently standing on the other side of the hole while you putt, there is no penalty [Rule 14-2, Exception]. However, if he stands there and says: “Aim at my left toe,” you’re looking at a two stroke/loss of hole penalty for a breach of Rule 8-2b, which prohibits touching the green to point out a line for putting. Your partner may point out a line (without touching the green), but he may not be a target.

Your partner may, of course, attend the flagstick for you.

Linda

Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #534-Stones in bunkers

Linda,

If a ball is in a sand trap, and there is a stone or pebble lying behind the ball, can you pick the stone or pebble out?

Thanks,

Lulu

Dear Lulu,

Stones are loose impediments. Players are not permitted to touch or move a loose impediment in a bunker if their ball is lying in that bunker [Rule 13-4].

However, there is a Local Rule that permits players to remove stones in bunkers. Many Committees adopt this rule because hitting stones is potentially dangerous [Appendix I, Part B, #5].

Permission to remove stones from bunkers is a permanent Local Rule in the tournaments I run, in league play at my home course, and for team matches in parts of New Jersey. Here is the wording I have used:

Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions. As such (Rule 24–1) they may be removed. If the ball moves, it must be replaced, and there is no penalty provided that the movement of the ball is directly attributable to the removal of the stones.

Linda

Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #533-Unattended cart moves ball

Linda,

What would the ruling be for the following…?

I found my ball in the rough about fifteen yards from my motorised trolley. My opponent sent my trolley back to me and it struck my ball before I had a chance to control it: The ball moved back a few feet. I replaced the ball but should I be penalized?  Have checked rules and decisions of Golf but cannot find a ruling for this.

Recap: My opponent directed my trolley (my equipment) back which struck my ball (as distinct from my ball hitting my equipment). Neither of us was in control of the trolley.

Is there a ruling for an opponent moving my ball with my equipment…

Regards,

Lulu

Dear Lulu,

In stroke play, there is no penalty to either player, and the ball must be replaced [Rule 18-4].

In match play, your opponent incurs a one-stroke penalty for causing your ball to move; the ball must be replaced [Rule 18-3b].

While there is a penalty in match play for moving your opponent’s ball, the penalty is not always imposed. If neither player is aware that the unusual violation you describe has a penalty attached, no penalty can be assigned once you hit your tee shot on the next hole. Also, if you are aware that your opponent has violated a Rule, you are permitted to ignore the infraction [Rule 2-5, Note 1]. A problem arises only if both players know of the violation and agree to waive the penalty. Such an agreement results in the disqualification of both players [Rule 1-3].

Linda

Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda #532-Is “lost” ball in hazard?

Hi Linda,

I am fairly new to this fantastic game and had been having driving lessons to great effect.

I was playing at Halifax GC in Yorkshire and on one of the holes the tee was behind some derelict farm buildings. I hit a sweet straight drive but because of the obstructing farm buildings I didn't see the ball land.

About 270 yards down the fairway was an open ditch (a staked hazard). This was a large deep ditch with heather and long grass. After spending 5 minutes looking for my ball on and around the fringes of the fairway I concluded that the only place the ball could be was in the hazard. However my playing partners told me, because nobody had seen the ball enter the hazard I would have to go back and play 3 off the tee.

I begrudgingly accepted this but didn't continue playing the hole as we were playing Stableford scoring. I thought this was unfair. What do you think?

Also, one of my playing partners told me if I was playing a provisional ball I was not allowed a practice swing. Is this right?

Many thanks.

Lou

Dear Lou,

The Water Hazard Rule states that you must have knowledge or virtual certainty that your ball is in a hazard in order to proceed under one of the relief options in Rule 26-1. Let’s see how this might apply to your situation.

“Knowledge” does not apply in your case, since no one saw the ball enter the hazard. However, “virtual certainty” may apply. Assuming everyone in your group agrees that your drive was hit straight down the fairway and far enough to reach the hazard, you must consider the course conditions in front of the hazard. If the entire area adjacent to the hazard boundary is closely mowed so that a ball that is not found short of the hazard can be presumed to be in the hazard, you are permitted to assume that the ball is in the hazard [Decision 26-1/1].

However, if the area adjacent to the hazard boundary consists of rough, fescue, tall grasses, nearby bushes, or other trouble such that a ball that cannot be found may be lost in this pre-hazard area, you may not assume the ball to be in the hazard. After the five-minute time limit is reached, you must play another ball under stroke and distance (return to where you hit your previous shot and add a one-stroke penalty to your score).

The answer to your second question is that your playing partner is incorrect. You may take a practice swing (or more than one) before or after any stroke you make on the golf course [Note 1 at the end of Rule 7]. If you have just hit an errant shot, you will more than likely want to rehearse the shot before you try it again with your provisional ball. Go right ahead and take that practice swing.

Linda

Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.