Ask Linda 1905-Ball hits another ball on putting green

Dear Linda, 

We played individual match play today in groups of four, i.e., two individual matches.

If a player whose ball was on the green hits the ball of another player (not her opponent) on the green , is there a penalty to the player who hit the ball? 

Thanks, 

Lulu from Adelaide, South Australia 

Dear Lulu,

No.

There is no penalty in match play if a player putts her ball from on the green and her ball strikes any other ball at rest on the putting green.

In stroke play, the player who putted the ball gets a two-stroke penalty [Rule 11.1a, Exception].

In both formats, the player who putted must play her ball as it lies. The player whose ball was moved must replace her ball.

Linda

Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda 1904-Local Rules for Cleaning Ball and Preferred Lies

Linda,

My club has been using winter rules for the last few months – placing everywhere. This weekend, with weather improving, they changed to preferred lies. Lift, clean and place on the fairway, and if mud on ball in rough lift, clean and replace, otherwise play as it lies. I cannot find any reference to winter rules or preferred lies in the new rules. I know there is no longer an area known as rough or fairway – both of these are now the general area. Is the option of winter rules or preferred lies gone or is this still allowed under local rules?

Lou from Ireland

Dear Lou,

These Local Rules are still with us. They have been moved out of the rulebook and into the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf. Local Rule E-2, which permits the player to lift, clean, and replace, and Local Rule E-3, which permits "preferred lies" (also known as "winter rules"), appear on pages 465-467 in my edition.

If you do not own the Official Guide, you may access it online via the USGA or R&A website. The Model Local Rules appear in the back of the book under Committee Procedures, Part IV, Section 8.

Linda

Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda 1903-Walk out of bounds

Linda

If a golf player walks out of bounds on a course is she penalised other than when she plays a ball in bounds? 

Thanks,

Lulu from Leicester, UK

Dear Lulu,

There are no restrictions in the Rules on where a golfer may walk. She may even stand out of bounds to hit a ball that lies in bounds.

However, if you encounter a fence or a Private Property, No Trespassing sign, common courtesy would dictate that you not walk on someone’s property.

Linda

Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda 1902-Player stops dropped ball

Linda,

A player takes relief by dropping a ball, but before it has rolled out of the one-club-length club area she picks it up and re-drops it. Is this a penalty?  

Lulu from Blythe, California

Dear Lulu,

If the player deliberately stops or deflects her dropped ball before it comes to rest, she incurs the general penalty (loss of hole in match play, two strokes in stroke play). 

If another player or his or her caddie deliberately stops or deflects the ball, that player will get the general penalty. 

Exception: If there is no chance the dropped ball will remain in the relief area, there is no penalty to anyone who stops or deflects it [Rule 14.3d].

Linda

Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda 1901-How to move ball on green

Linda,

Please explain the correct way to move your ball on the green if is it is on the line of another ball. I have always marked my ball, then measured 1 or 2 putter lengths....lining my putter up with a stationary object...then put my marker down. Are there other acceptable ways to span?

Lulu from Blythe, California

Dear Lulu,

You should be moving the ball one or two putter-head lengths, not putter lengths. That would be around four to eight inches, not 35 to 70 inches.

You may mark your ball, measure the putter-head lengths from the marker (lining up with a stationary object), and place your marker. You may also measure from the ball (without first marking it). If you measure from the marker, you will replace your marker and then place your ball in front of the marker when you move the ball back. If you measure from the ball, you will replace the ball when you move back. Whichever procedure you use to move the ball, you must use the same procedure to replace it. The goal is to return the ball to its original spot.

While it is not required by the Rules, I recommend that you announce the stationary object you use to line up. This practice may save you from arguments regarding whether you replaced the ball on the right spot.

Linda

Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda 1900-Place ball in teeing area closer to hole

Hi Linda,

I would assume that the teeing area would include the area from the tee markers to two yards back from the markers.

If a player popped the ball up and it landed behind where the player had teed it up, but was still in the teeing area, would he be able to replace the ball closer to the tee markers? Although he would only gain no more than two club-lengths, that would allow him to place the ball closer to the hole.

That might be splitting hairs, but I could see that happening.

Thanks,

Lou from Sequim, Washington

Dear Lou,

The teeing area includes from the tee markers to two club-lengths back from the markers. The larger area on which the teeing area sits is officially called the teeing location.

If the player pops the ball up and it lands anywhere within the teeing area, he may place it or tee it up anywhere within the teeing area, even if that means the ball will be closer to the hole. Please review Rule 6.2b(6).

Linda

Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda 1899-Mark another player’s ball on green

Dear Linda,

Last summer playing in our Senior Championship I marked another player's ball on the putting green. I did this in the interest of saving time, without his permission, as one might typically do in a casual weekend game. A third player became quite agitated when I did this, and stressed the point that I must replace the ball and have the other player mark it himself, saying that if he replaced the ball he would incur a penalty. The fourth in our group agreed that this was the case, and I complied without dissent.

This minor event was forgotten until on the TV this weekend at The Players Championship I saw a player's ball marked on the green of a drivable par 4 after having been waved up by the group ahead. This sent me to the rulebook and as best as I can tell:

1. Marking a ball without permission is indeed against the rules but there is no penalty for doing so, and

2. A player can always replace his own ball, even if some knucklehead marked it without permission (even though this might not be the best practice).

So it seems to me this commonly held belief about replacing a ball marked by the wrong player is what amounts to an old wives' tale. Do I understand this correctly?

Lou in Rye, NY

Dear Lou,

I haven’t heard that fairy tale in a long time. It is wrong, of course, and your understanding is correct.

In stroke play, there is no penalty if another player marks and lifts your ball on the green, although he should not do so if there is no permission or request. The ball must be replaced by either the owner of the ball or the player who lifted it [Rule 14.1b]. 

In match play, an opponent who marks and lifts your ball without permission or request incurs one penalty stroke [Rule 9.5b]. 

Linda

Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda 1898a-Follow-up to #1898-Replace damaged club

Hi Linda,

If the player is carrying only 13 clubs may he add another driver?

Regards 

Lou from Tiverton, Devon, UK

Dear Lou,

Yes.

If you start your round with less than 14 clubs, you may add clubs during the round up to the 14-club limit [Rule 4.1b(1)]. In doing so, you may not unreasonably delay play, add or borrow a club from anyone playing on the course, build a club from parts carried by anyone for you, or use a club that was taken out of play [Rule 4.1b(4)].

Linda

Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda 1898-Replace damaged club

Hi Linda,

I was asked a question and did not know how to answer, so here it goes:

My driver is damaged on the second hole, club head breaks, not caused by temper. Can I replace my driver while on the golf course? Let’s say I call the pro shop and ask them to bring out the identical club?

Thanks,

Lulu from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Dear Lulu,

You may not replace a damaged club unless the club was damaged by an outside influence, natural forces, or any person other than the player or her caddie [Rule 4.1b(3)]. 

While you may not replace the damaged club, you may have it repaired during the round, provided you do not unreasonably delay play. In repairing the club you must use the original grip, shaft, and clubhead.

However, the USGA and R&A published two new clarifications this month (April) to the Rules. One of those clarifications allows the Committee to adopt a new Local Rule (G-9), which states:

If a player’s club is “broken or significantly damaged” during the round by the player or caddie, except in cases of abuse, the player may replace the club with any club under Rule 4.1b(4). 

When replacing a club, the player must immediately take the broken or significantly damaged club out of play, using the procedure in Rule 4.1c(1). 

If your Committee adopts this Local Rule, you may replace a club damaged during the round, except in the case of abuse by you or your caddie.

Linda

Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda 1897-Repair damage to hole caused by player’s ball

Hi Linda,

Whilst watching golf from "The Players" last week I saw Ryan Moore hole his tee shot at the 17th by hitting the flagstick and the ball deflecting vertically down into the hole. A close up of the hole was broadcast which showed that the ball had damaged the edge of it. The commentators then stated that they hoped he didn't repair the damage inside the hole as this was against the rules. Ryan Moore called a referee to sort it out. I couldn't really find anything in the player’s edition of the 2019 rules and as all players are expected to repair pitch-marks or other damage to the greens I suspect a lot of players would just go ahead and make a repair in this situation without knowing the consequences of their action. Always assuming the broadcast team was correct.

We have a group of  "Rules Experts" at my club who are nearly always on the ball with them but this situation had them all stumped so your help with this would be most welcome.

Many thanks, as always, 

Lou from Oxford, UK

Dear Lou,

I would suggest that you not accept the comments of the broadcasters as gospel. Players are now permitted to repair damage to the green, which includes damage to the hole caused by the impact of the ball [Rule 13.1c(2)].

The player has always had the right to repair ball marks on the putting green (including on his line of play), and damage to the hole caused by the impact of a ball (in effect, a ball mark). What is new in 2019 is that just about any damage to the putting green may now be repaired, such as spike marks; scrapes or indentations caused by equipment, a flagstick, or maintenance tools; animal tracks; hoof indentations; embedded objects (such as stones or acorns); and hail.

Linda

Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda 1896-Use provisional ball for stroke and distance

Linda,

A player’s tee shot heads towards trees and rough.

Not knowing if the ball can be found she/he hits a provisional ball.

The original ball is found, however the player deemed that it is unplayable.

Since the player hit a provisional ball, can the player treat the provisional ball as the ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance?

Here's a similar question:

A player’s tee shot heads toward penalty area that is also close to out of bounds marker.

Player hits a provisional in case the original ball cannot be found.

Original ball is found in penalty area.

The player would rather take stroke and distance relief vs. play as lies, back-on-the-line relief, or lateral relief.

Since the player hit a provisional ball, could the player use the provisional ball as the ball in play?

Thanks,

Lulu from Cincinnati, Ohio

Dear Lulu,

The answer to both questions is no.

When you find your original ball, you are required to abandon the provisional ball, provided the provisional ball has not been played from a spot nearer the hole than where the original ball is estimated to be [Rule 18.3c(2)]. You must continue play with the original ball [Rule 18.3c(3)]. If the original ball is unplayable, and you decide to choose the stroke-and-distance relief option, you must return to the spot where you hit your previous shot and play another ball.

Linda

Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda 1895-Teeing Area vs. Teeing Location

Hi Linda,

Your emails are so good – helping to educate us golfers. I had no idea that a ball in play – in the teeing area – accidently moved by the player (his foot or cart) – carries no penalty. 

I just want to clarify –

• It’s the teeing area of the hole you are playing – correct? Not a wrong tee – teeing area?

• It’s the teeing area – and not outside the teeing area (tee markers and two club-lengths)?

• The average golfer when looking up a ruling on this – I would have thought – would first go to Rule 9.4 – Ball at rest moved by player. But 9.4 does not include the Exception of moving the ball in play in the Teeing Area. 

• 6.2b(6) does say the player may “lift or move the ball without penalty” – but it reads to me like the player can: on purpose lift or move his ball. So I guess that’s where the accidental movement of the ball fits. But it’s not well written.

Kind regards,

Queenstown, New Zealand

Dear Lulu,

The teeing area, which is defined in the Definitions, is the rectangular area from which the player will hit when she starts the hole. This rectangle is defined by the two tee markers, a line drawn at the front edge of the two tee markers, and two club-lengths deep (measured using your longest club). Every other teeing location on the course, including the area outside the rectangular teeing area of the hole you are playing, is referred to as a teeing locationand is part of the general area.

If you look up Teeing Area in the index to your rulebook, it directs you to Rule 6.2. The introduction to this Rule tells you that the new rules regarding what you may do in the teeing area of the hole you are playing are in effect when you start play of the hole, when you have to return to the teeing area to play another shot, or if your ball lies in the teeing area after your shot (e.g., after a whiff or a ricochet off a tree that returns to the teeing area), or after you have taken relief.

Whenever your ball lies in the teeing area (remember this is the rectangular area where you start play of the hole), you may lift or move your ball (whether deliberately or accidentally), play your original or another ball anywhere within the teeing area, and set the ball up on a tee. There is no penalty for any of these actions.

Please review all of Rule 6.2. 

Linda

Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda 1894-Practice Stroke; Playing Through

Hi Linda,

I have one question related to #1868 and then a second question, both these situations happened on the same day during a stroke play league day. Only the balls of the even holes counted for the game and we were a group of three players. Scores had to be posted for this round.

Question #1

On an odd hole, Player A and B were on the green. Player C was off the green in the rough. Player C hit a bad chip shot and proceeded to drop another ball and hit another chip shot. She then proceeded to play out the hole with the bad chip shot and picked up the second ball. I thought she was practicing. Whether she had reached her ESC score or not, isn’t that practicing on the course? And, the answer for 1868 is confusing to me, because the player was not “playing out the hole” but dropped a ball for practice.

Question #2

The group in front of us had two holes open in front of them. They never invited us to play through. After the round, I asked one of the players why they did not invite us to play through (Rule 1.2a – showing consideration to others). She said they “kept wondering why we didn’t ask them to play through”. These were seasoned players. I told her they should have invited us to play through and that it has been my experience that asking to play through is not accepted nicely. She responded that they would have accepted it nicely.

Linda, thank you so much for your blog. I’ve read it for years and years and learn something new each time!

Lulu from Fort Myers, Florida

Dear Lulu,

Question #1

In a regular round of individual stroke play, a player’s score on every hole will count and a player may not pick up. There is no option to play out a hole whose result has been decided. No hole is decided prior to completion. Every hole must be played to conclusion. 

When the player dropped another ball to practice her chip, she breached the Rule that prohibits practice strokes during the play of a hole [Rule 5.5a]. She gets the General Penalty (two strokes in stroke play).

Since you are only counting the even holes in your game, players should be encouraged to pick up as soon as they have reached their ESC score on an odd hole. [Under the USGA Handicap System, a player may not post a score for any given hole higher than her Equitable Score Control maximum.] If your player reached her maximum prior to completing the hole, she should have been encouraged to pick up.

Question #2

There is no official Rule regarding who does the inviting or requesting to play through. If you have holes open in front of you and a group behind you on your heels, you should invite them to play through. If you are stuck behind a group that has holes open in front of them, and you have not been invited to play through, walk right up and politely make your request. 

Linda

Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

New Clarifications

Dear readers,

The USGA and R&A have published two new clarifications this month. I have printed them below for you. For a complete list of all the clarifications that have been published since December 2018, visit this link:

http://www.usga.org/rules-hub/rulesarticles/clarifications-of-the-2019-rules-of-golf.html

Also, I have edited the answer to #1878. My thanks to Lou from Canberra, Australia for supplying the corrections. Please revisit the column: https://lindamillergolf.blogspot.com/2019/03/ask-linda-1878-search-time-interrupted.html

New Clarifications

Rule 17:

    Rule 17.1d(2):

1. Reference Point for Back-On-the-Line Relief Must Be Outside Penalty Area:

When taking back-on-the-line relief from a penalty area, the reference point must be outside that penalty area. (Added 04/2019)

Model Local Rule G-9:

1. Local Rule G-9 for Replacement of Club that is Broken or Significantly Damaged:

Model Local Rule G-9

“Rule 4.1b(3) is modified in this way:

If a player’s club is “broken or significantly damaged” during the round by the player or caddie, except in cases of abuse, the player may replace the club with any club under Rule 4.1b(4).

When replacing a club, the player must immediately take the broken or significantly damaged club out of play, using the procedure in Rule 4.1c(1).

For the purposes of this Local Rule:

• A club is “broken or significantly damaged” when:

➢the shaft breaks into pieces, splinters or is bent (but not when the shaft is only dented)

➢the club face impact area is visibly deformed (but not when the club face is only scratched)

➢the clubhead is visibly and significantly deformed

➢the clubhead is detached or loose from the shaft, or

➢the grip is loose.

Exception: A club face or clubhead is not “broken or significantly damaged” solely because it is cracked.

Penalty for Breach of Local Rule – See Rule 4.1b.” (Added 4/2019)

Ask Linda 1893-Repair hole damage

Linda,

With the new rule that you can leave the flag in the cup, some of our girls are saying that when the person reaches into the cup with the flag still in the cup, they damage the edge of the cup. Can they pat down any damage they have done since they are now finished putting? As always, I appreciate your answer. 

Lulu from Green Valley, Arizona

Dear Lulu,

Yes, if you damage the hole you are now permitted to repair the damage before the next player putts. You are also permitted to repair any damage to the hole before you putt [Rule 13.1c(2)].

I am not happy to learn that players are damaging the hole. If you reach in with two fingers and carefully lift the ball, the hole should remain in pristine condition. 

Linda

Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda 1892-Use found equipment during round

Linda,

My question is, "Can a player use a tee found on a tee box that is discarded by another player for his tee shot, assuming it is a conforming tee?" Follow-up is, "Can a player use an object left on a tee box (not a club) such as a laser device for the remainder of the round?" (Forget ethical component for now).

Keep up the good work.

Lou from Canada but snowbirding in Naples

Dear Lou,

The answer to both your questions is yes. Other than golf clubs, you may use anything you find on the golf course during your round, including abandoned golf balls, discarded tees, towels, ball markers, and even another player’s lost rangefinder. I would expect that you would ask other golfers you encounter during your round whether the rangefinder belongs to them, notify a passing ranger to make inquiries, and turn it in at the pro shop at the end of your round. 

Linda

Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda 1891-Move ball on green out of way of oncoming ball

Linda,

I asked you this question in 2017 and now the question came up again. What I want clarified is can I mark my ball when I see the putter’s ball coming towards it? I know I can move the flag and equipment, but can I move the ball?

Lulu from Green Valley, Arizona

Dear Lulu,

This is an excellent question, since the Rule has changed. The answer is now yes. When another player’s ball is in motion you may mark and lift your ball at rest on the putting green (but not elsewhere). You may also move a removed flagstick and any other player equipment out of the way of the oncoming ball [Rule 11.3, Exception].

Linda

Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda 1890-Stakes around mature trees

Hi Linda,

On the subject of staked trees, I have on numerous occasions seen stakes by trees that are now redundant of purpose. 

The stakes are still in the ground, looking very aged, have started to lean and there are no ties attached to the stake or the tree/shrub to offer support as they are now “mature”.

Would such a scenario deem the once-staked tree now not a staked tree or is a stake simply positioned by a tree deemed a staked tree regardless?

Kind regards,

Lou, once of the Sunshine Coast, Australia but now back in Dubai

Dear Lou,

Young trees are sometimes staked when they are planted to provide extra support, protection, or help staying anchored. The stakes should be removed by the next growing season, along with any wire placed around the branches. (I am not a professional gardener; I Googled “staked trees” to find this information.)

Course management has the option to adopt a Local Rule that requires mandatory relief from staked trees, and it might want do so to protect new plantings. Both the Local Rule and the stakes should be withdrawn when appropriate.

If you have encountered a mature tree with what appears to be abandoned stakes surrounding it and no ties from the stake to the tree, I believe you can safely assume that this is not a staked tree from which you would be required to take relief under a Local Rule. Mature trees have no need for stakes. It would seem that the stakes you came across are simply obstructions. If they are firmly entrenched, they are immovable; if they are easy to pull out, they are movable. Should you have serious doubt about the status of the stakes, I would recommend a quick call to the clubhouse.

You might want to politely draw the attention of the course manager to these stakes that no longer serve any useful purpose. They should be removed.

Linda

Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda 1889-Drop ball in dropping zone

Hi Linda

Previously, when dropping in a drop zone, the ball could roll anywhere outside the drop zone area and as long as it did not roll more than two club-lengths from where it hit the ground in the drop zone the ball was in play.

What are the new rules as to dropping as we seem to have "lost" the old two club-lengths wording in other circumstances. Thanks for all your help and advice.

Lou from Bahrain

Dear Lou,

When you drop a ball in a dropping zone, the ball must now be dropped in and come to rest in the dropping zone [Model Local Rule E-1]. 

Linda

Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda 1888-Accidentally throw ball into lake

Linda,

This really happened! Whilst playing in a stroke play competition a lady picked up her ball from the green after marking it. She then picked up a small stone close to her ball marker. When throwing away the stone into a nearby lake the ball left her grip and also ended up in deep water. Can the ball be substituted without penalty? 

Does this come under ball accidentally moved on the putting green?

I cannot find an interpretation that covers this scenario.

Thank you,

Lou from Bodicote, U.K.

Dear Lou,

When you mark and lift your ball on the putting green, you are required to replace the original ball. However, there are four exceptions to this Rule. One of them is that you are permitted to substitute another ball if the original ball cannot be recovered easily and quickly, provided you did not deliberately cause your ball to become unrecoverable [Rule 14.2a Exception (first bullet)].

The player in your scenario clearly did not intend to throw her ball into the lake. She should have been permitted to substitute another ball without penalty.

Linda

Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda 1887-Alignment on tee

Linda,

Thanks again Linda for all your help and clarifications! When I line up for the tee shot, I use the line I've drawn on the ball and line up with some irregularity on the teeing ground (divot hole, bare spot, foot print, etc.). I thought I had read that Nicklaus used a similar method. This is permissible, correct?   

Lou from Wheeling, West Virginia

Dear Lou,

Yes. 

There is no Rule that prohibits drawing a line on your golf ball. You may use that line to tee up your ball to line up with an object that already lies on the golf course. What you may not do is place an object on your line of play and leave it there while you make your stroke [Rule 10.2b(1)].

The ruling is different if your ball lies on the putting green. The player will get the general penalty (loss of hole/two strokes) if he or his caddie places an object (on or off the green) to indicate the line of play, even if the object is removed prior to the stroke [Rule 10.2b(2)].

Linda

Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda 1886-Ball on green moved by another ball

Hello Linda,

Help..... The new modified rules are generating some very simple but confusing situations. My ball on the green was hit and moved by a ball off the green. I put my ball back where it was. One of my fellow players (casual round) said, "you don't have to put your ball back, you didn't mark it yet." In an effort to learn the new rule – replacing ball AFTER being marked – we are using a phrase "you mark it you own it." She argued that the rule changed and I do not have to put my ball back because I have not marked it yet. My response was the rule for a ball in motion has not changed and I have to put my ball back.

Your help would be greatly appreciated because she was not satisfied with that answer. She insisted that the rule for the putting green changed and I should not have put my ball back!

Thank you,

Lulu from South Carolina

Dear Lulu,

Your understanding is correct.

When your ball on the putting green has been moved by natural forces (wind, water, gravity), you must replace it if the ball has already been lifted and replaced; you must play it from its new spot if the ball has not been lifted and replaced. This is Rule 13.1d(2), and is the new Rule for 2019.

A ball in motion is not a natural force; it is an outside influence  (please read the Definitions of these two new terms). When a ball at rest is moved by an outside influence, the moved ball must be replaced on its original spot. If you do not know the precise spot, you must estimate it [Rule 9.6].

Linda

Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda 1885-Putt hits flagstick attended by partner

Hi Linda,

What would the ruling be if your ball hits the flagstick and the person attending the flagstick while you putt is your partner? Should there not be a penalty, as his act could be construed as assisting you in placing the ball close to the hole? Please advise.

Best regards,

Lou from Johore, Malaysia

Dear Lou,

There is no penalty if the contact is accidental, and the ball must be played as it lies. Two examples of what would be considered accidental: (1) the flagstick is stuck in the hole; (2) the attendant is not paying attention.

If the partner deliberately stops or deflects the ball, the stroke does not count and the player will have to play again from where the previous putt was made. The player will get the general penalty (loss of hole in match play, two strokes in stroke play), since any action by the partner concerning the player’s ball is treated as action of the player [Rule 13.2b(2)].

Linda

Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Ask Linda 1884-Dropped ball hits player before ground

Linda,

Lou dropped ball from knee height a few days ago and it struck his foot before hitting the ground. Discussion was had and while we agreed the new rule says ball should not hit player before it touches ground, none of us knew what to do. Should Lou just re-drop (as if he had accidentally dropped from shoulder height), or is there a penalty for this? Thanks - love your blog!

Lou from Driggs, Idaho

Dear Lou,

If the ball touches any part of your body before it touches the ground, there is no penalty and you must re-drop. There is no limit to the number of times you must re-drop under this circumstance (although there may be a limit to the patience of the other golfers in your group if this goes on too long!). This re-drop does not count as one of the two drops required before you must place the ball [Rule 14.3b].

Linda

Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.