Another Rules Question

I was playing on Saturday and had a situation I wouldn't mind knowing what the rule is.

I was playing my second and hit hit down the left of the fairway into some bushes.  As I walked towards my ball i said to one of my playing partners "have you got my ball?", "Yes" he said and promptly placed it in my hand, "it was in the middle of this bush" he said "you would never have been able to play it".

The look on my face must have been a picture and it was noticable that Mr Hawkins, one of my other playing partners, was giggling away like a school girl not too far away.  The question is, what happens next?

Be interesting to know what the real ruling is James, although to be fair I did say that you should have had a free drop because it was moved without you being involved, and all credit to you for taking a penalty for it.

That's the thing, with me taking the ball off him, i.e. touching it, does that now mean that it should be a penalty? and if I had refused to touch it would it have been a free drop?

Ball moved by a fellow player must be replaced as near to it's original position as possible no penalty. Failure to do so will incur a 2 stroke penalty. Once replaced under penalty of 1 stroke you may

1. Two club lengths no nearer the hole and drop. If you role back into an unplayable position then further penalty of 1 stroke and repeat
2. Keep the ball position in line with the pin and go as far back as you wish on that line
3. Play from where you last made your previous stroke

I would have told him to replace it as close as possible to where he picked it up and then took one of my options which would be at least a 1 shot penalty.

The rules say not !

Rule 18 states that the moved ball MUST be replaced without penalty.

It is good to remember that you and you alone can deem your ball unplayable.

TheLyth

Never ever touch another persons equipment without their express permission.

Has this got you in trouble more than once then Wayne?

Colin,

Here is the Rule involved. 18-3 covers Match-Play and does incur a penalty but 18-4 covers Stroke-Play and no penalty.

RULE 18  Ball at Rest Moved

 a. During Search

If, during search for a player's ball, an opponent, his caddie or his equipmentmoves the ball, touches it or causes it to move, there is no penalty. If the ball is moved, it must be replaced.

 b. Other Than During Search

If, other than during search for a player's ball, an opponent, his caddie or his equipment moves the ball, touches it purposely or causes it to move, except as otherwise provided in the Rules, the opponent incurs a penalty of one stroke. If the ball is moved, it must be replaced.

(Playing a wrong ball - see Rule 15-3.)
(Ball moved in measuring - see Rule 18-6.)

If a fellow-competitor, his caddie or his equipment moves the player's ball, touches it or causes it to move, there is no penalty. If the ball is moved, it must be replaced.

(Playing a wrong ball - see Rule 15-3.)

TheLyth

Thanks for the replies guys, I think that's cleared it up.