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I just joined a league for the first time and obviously the guys are a little uptight about the rules. I was paired with a guy (in the lowest flite, 20+ handicaps) that on 3 different occasions, touched the ball with his iron at address enough to make the ball physically move. It didn't change position at all, it stayed in the exact same spot, but you could see it shake/vibrate when the club came in contact with it. 2 of them were in the fairway and one was in the first cut. I am the new guy so I didn't want to be a rules stickler. And since the position didn't change at all, it didn't seem like he gained any advantage by the accident (at least, I assume it was an accident). I never brought it up and he didn't either. So what's the deal in this situation? Should there be a penalty assessed just for simple, incidental contact but no movement in position? Is it only a penalty when the ball moves? |
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| # 1 5/19/2013 10:27:28 PM |
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18-2. By Player, Partner, Caddie or Equipment
a. General Except as permitted by the Rules, when a player’s ball is in play, if (i) the player, his partner or either of their caddies: • lifts or moves the ball, • touches it purposely (except with a club in the act of addressing the ball), or • causes the ball to move, or (ii) the equipment of the player or his partner causes the ball to move, the player incurs a penalty of one stroke. If the ball is moved, it must be replaced, unless the movement of the ball occurs after the player has begun the stroke or the backward movement of the club for the stroke and the stroke is made. 76 Rule 18 Under the Rules there is no penalty if a player accidentally causes his ball to move in the following circumstances: • In searching for a ball covered by sand, in the replacement of loose impediments moved in a hazard while finding or identifying a ball, in probing for a ball lying in water in a water hazard or in searching for a ball in an obstruction or an abnormal ground condition – Rule 12-1 • In repairing a hole plug or ball mark – Rule 16-1c • In measuring – Rule 18-6 • In lifting a ball under a Rule – Rule 20-1 • In placing or replacing a ball under a Rule – Rule 20-3a • In removing a loose impediment on the putting green – Rule 23-1 • In removing movable obstructions – Rule 24-1 b. Ball Moving After Address If a player’s ball in play moves after he has addressed it (other than as a result of a stroke), the player is deemed to have moved the ball and incurs a penalty of one stroke. The ball must be replaced, unless the movement of the ball occurs after the player has begun the stroke or the backward movement of the club for the stroke and the stroke is made. Exception: If it is known or virtually certain that the player did not cause his ball to move, Rule 18-2b does not apply. 2 things 1) except with a club in the act of addressing the ball 2) replace the ball to it's original position. (how can one do this if the ball is in it's original position?) It would seem that the difference between touching and moving is the balls position after it has been touched. |
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| # 2 5/20/2013 3:42:48 PM |
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18/2
Ball Oscillates During Address Q.In addressing the ball, a player accidentally causes the ball to oscillate, but it returns to its original position. Has the ball "moved"? A.No. Sounds pretty clear. I don't like the risk involved of actually moving the ball, so I avoid making contact at all until I'm actually making the stroke. |
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| # 3 5/21/2013 1:35:14 PM |
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Thanks fellas. I agree with you guys that it's a bad habit for the guy to be in, but I'm glad I didn't bring it up.
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