Forum > Rules and Etiquette

James Illsley

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?

Tim Hawkins

Wayne Santorini

James Illsley

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?

Martin Millichip

Dave ley

Allan Bostock

So does the person that moved the ball not get a penalty, as he is interfering with play?

Martin Millichip

David Lythgoe

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

Wayne Santorini

Must admit I've never had that situation in all the years I've been playing (hence my ignorance of the rule) however I also will say that had anyone picked up my ball and made a decision for me he/she would have got a mouthful!!!!!

Never ever touch another persons equipment without their express permission.

John Flood

Never ever touch another persons equipment without their express permission.

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

Wayne Santorini

Colin Coote

David Lythgoe

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

18-3. By Opponent, Caddie or Equipment in Match Play

 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.)

18-4. By Fellow-Competitor, Caddie or Equipment in Stroke Play

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

James Illsley