Rule of the Week 31st July 2009 - Ball At Rest Moved

This week we shall look at the different scenarios that can happen when a ball at rest is moved.

 

 

This is something that happens a lot around the golf course, but not too many people know what to do when it happens. There are various ways in which the ball can be moved. The first one we shall look at is a ball moved by an outside agency. A typical example of this would be if a dog came along, picked up your ball and ran off with it.

So what do you do in such a case. Well, first up you don't need to chase the dog to get your ball back. If the dog runs off with the ball you can substitute the ball with another ball and place the substituted ball as close as possible to where the original ball lay, without penalty.

 

OK, what happens if you move your own ball.

Rule 18-2 states:

When a players ball is in play, if:

(i) the player, his partner or either of there caddies lifts or moves it, touches it purposely (except with a club in the act of addressing it) or causes it to move except as permitted by a rule, or

(ii) 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

The statement underlined in brackets above is an interesting one, this is something most people don't realise. When addressing the ball if you accidently touch the ball, there is no penalty, as long as the ball does not leave it position and come to rest in another position.

 

Now, what happens if your ball is moved by another ball. Rule 18-5 says, if a ball in play and at rest is moved by another ball in motion after a stroke, the moved ball must be replaced.

In this instance, the ball in motion must be played from where it came to rest.  

Next question, If a ball is moved while measuring a nearest the pin shot, are you penalised for moving a ball at rest.

NO There is no penalty, providing the movement of the ball is directly attributable to the specific act of measuring

 

What about a ball in motion deflected or stopped by another ball.

Rule 19-5 states: if a player's ball in motion after a stroke is deflected or stopped by a ball in play and at rest, the player must play his ball as it lies. In stroke play, there is no penalty, unless both balls lay on the putting green prior to the stroke, in which case the player incurs a penalty of two strokes.

For those of you who watched the Canadian Open last week you may have seen a perfect example of this when Leif Olson's ball on the par 3 15th hole landed on the green, spun back and hit his playing partners ball which deflected his ball into the hole for a hole in one. Had Leif's ball been deflected into the greenside trap, well he would have had to play from there but luck was on his side and he went home with a $51.000 BMW. For those of you who missed the shot, you can view it by clicking here.