| WCGA Rules in Review |
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Ball at Rest Moved
The fine print -- these summaries are intended to provide examples of common occurrences
on the golf course and they do not include complete documentation on the Rules of Golf.
Your best resource is always the USGA Rules of Golf Book.
on the golf course and they do not include complete documentation on the Rules of Golf.
Your best resource is always the USGA Rules of Golf Book.
For complete information go to the USGA Website
RULE 18
RULE 18
it would always go where we want it to. As the wise man said, "Golf is
not a game of perfect."
It begins with "yikes, my ball moved!"
Have you hit it from the tee box on this hole yet? No? You're okay,
just put it back. Yes? Read on, my friend.
Before you start picking up that ball, stop and think. The Rules of
Golf ask that you not pick up your ball unless you have a rule that
says it's okay.
Most people these days play Stroke Play so we will explain that. A lot
of this is different for Match Play -- check out your rules book.
Who moved it?
My fellow competitor -- no problem, put it back (don't drop it, just
place it) where it was and there is no penalty.
Some guy walking by (aka outside agency) - no problem, ask him
where is was. If he knows, place it back. If he says, "I don't know,
somewhere around here". Still no problem, do the best you can to
drop it in the general vicinity.
That crazy dog ran off with it - still no problem. Get out another ball
and drop as close as you can to where you think the dog picked it up.
If it had been on the green, then you place it as best you can.
You moved your own ball. If it happened while you were marking it to
pick it up, you were measuring to see how far you were from
something, or you were moving a leaf while the ball was on the green,
then you are okay, just put it back. Any where else -- not so good. If
you caused your own ball to move, add a one stroke penalty and put
the ball back where it was.
Now this part has to do with whether or not you had addressed the
ball - an important thing to know. No? Then read on. Yes? Even if you
never touched it while addressing the ball, the folks who write the
rules say, whatever happens to that ball after address is on you. Add
one stroke and put it back. And, no... you can't "unaddress" a ball by
just stepping away.
Nobody touched it! It was just sitting there at rest and then it started
to move. These things happen; gravity, the wind blew too hard, the
blade of grass that was holding it on the bank finally gave up. The
ball just decided to be somewhere else. DON'T TOUCH THAT BALL!
The ball is still in play and must be played from its new location; even
if you were lucky enough to have it roll 20 feet closer to the hole.
Even if it rolled into the hole --- if you had been laying 3 and the ball
just rolled into the hole all by itself, you score for the hole is 3.
But the news isn't all good, if that same ball rolled into a water
hazard, then that's where your ball is. You either play it as it lies or
take the same relief options as if you had actually hit it there. Yep, it
will cost you the one stroke water hazard penalty.
In summary, if anybody other than you or any critter moved your ball.
Just put it back. No penalty.
If you moved your own ball -- except when you were doing a couple of
things, then you add a penalty stroke and you have to put it back.
If it just moved all by itself - leave it where it is or deal with the new
situation.
Think before you act because if you get it wrong, there are more
penalty strokes to be had for playing from the wrong place.
not a game of perfect."
It begins with "yikes, my ball moved!"
Have you hit it from the tee box on this hole yet? No? You're okay,
just put it back. Yes? Read on, my friend.
Before you start picking up that ball, stop and think. The Rules of
Golf ask that you not pick up your ball unless you have a rule that
says it's okay.
Most people these days play Stroke Play so we will explain that. A lot
of this is different for Match Play -- check out your rules book.
Who moved it?
My fellow competitor -- no problem, put it back (don't drop it, just
place it) where it was and there is no penalty.
Some guy walking by (aka outside agency) - no problem, ask him
where is was. If he knows, place it back. If he says, "I don't know,
somewhere around here". Still no problem, do the best you can to
drop it in the general vicinity.
That crazy dog ran off with it - still no problem. Get out another ball
and drop as close as you can to where you think the dog picked it up.
If it had been on the green, then you place it as best you can.
You moved your own ball. If it happened while you were marking it to
pick it up, you were measuring to see how far you were from
something, or you were moving a leaf while the ball was on the green,
then you are okay, just put it back. Any where else -- not so good. If
you caused your own ball to move, add a one stroke penalty and put
the ball back where it was.
Now this part has to do with whether or not you had addressed the
ball - an important thing to know. No? Then read on. Yes? Even if you
never touched it while addressing the ball, the folks who write the
rules say, whatever happens to that ball after address is on you. Add
one stroke and put it back. And, no... you can't "unaddress" a ball by
just stepping away.
Nobody touched it! It was just sitting there at rest and then it started
to move. These things happen; gravity, the wind blew too hard, the
blade of grass that was holding it on the bank finally gave up. The
ball just decided to be somewhere else. DON'T TOUCH THAT BALL!
The ball is still in play and must be played from its new location; even
if you were lucky enough to have it roll 20 feet closer to the hole.
Even if it rolled into the hole --- if you had been laying 3 and the ball
just rolled into the hole all by itself, you score for the hole is 3.
But the news isn't all good, if that same ball rolled into a water
hazard, then that's where your ball is. You either play it as it lies or
take the same relief options as if you had actually hit it there. Yep, it
will cost you the one stroke water hazard penalty.
In summary, if anybody other than you or any critter moved your ball.
Just put it back. No penalty.
If you moved your own ball -- except when you were doing a couple of
things, then you add a penalty stroke and you have to put it back.
If it just moved all by itself - leave it where it is or deal with the new
situation.
Think before you act because if you get it wrong, there are more
penalty strokes to be had for playing from the wrong place.