Golf Rules With Chris
Situations that involve the ballView Rule Of The Week
This week we want to look at situations that involve the ball. The ball at rest can be moved, deflected or stopped when in motion. This is rule 18 and we will look at 3 situations. The ball can be moved by the player, caddie, equipment or outside agency or the wind
Situation 1: Ball in plastic bag moves when bag is blown to new position by wind: A player’s ball comes to rest in a plastic bag that is lying on the ground. Before getting to the ball a gust of wind blows the bag to a new position. In applying rule 24-1 does the player drop the ball directly under the place where the ball originally lay in the bag or where it now lies in the bag?
Wind is not an outside Agency. However if an object being moved by the wind moves a ball, the object is an outside agency in the circumstances. In this case the bag and not the wind moved the ball and therefore the ball must be dropped in its original place.
Situation 2:A player rotates his ball on the putting green to line up the trademark with the hole. He did not lift theball, mark its position or change its position, what is the ruling?
He incurs a one stroke penalty for touching the ball other than what is provided for in the rules (Rule 18-2a) The ball on the putting green can be touched or rotated after its position has been marked.
Situation 3: Player leans forward, on the putting green to mark his ball, As he takes he attempts to get his marker from the pocket the pitch fork drops out of his pocket and falls on the ball and moves it.
Generally if the player, his caddie or equipment moves the ball, the player incurs a penalty of one stroke and the ball must be replaced. Under the rules there is no penalty if a player accidentally causes his ball to move in the following circumstances:
- Proceding under rule 20-1. If a ball or ball marker is accidentally moved in the process of lifting the ball under a rule or marking its position, the ball or ball marker must be replaced. There is no penalty provided the movement of the ball is directly attributable to the specific act of marking the position of or lifting the ball.
- In repairing a hole plug or ball mark
- In replacing or placing the ball
| Tip Of The Week | To Score With A Hybrid Against The Collar
By now, you’ve probably realized that hybrid clubs are a lot easier to hit than traditionally shaped long irons. The ball flies higher and lands softer with a hybrid, making them ideal for shots deep in the fairway that require a soft landing on the green. But what you may not know is hybrid clubs are also designed to perform well from a variety of other locations on the golf course. From the rough, the fringe, even the bunker—the hybrid can be an effective tool for saving your score....more »» |
| | Rules from previous weeks |
|
|
| Poll |
|
Who will lead the Zimbabwe Amateur Order of Merit for 2010
|
|
