A player marks his ball on the green.
Question:
Whilst picking up or replacing the ball, he accidentally moves it slightly.
Or: Whilst preparing to putt (e.g. by touching it with the putter), the ball moves ever so slightly.
Is there a penalty?
Answer:
Rule 13.1d states:
If the ball or the ball marker is accidentally moved by the player on the green,
- → no penalty
- → The ball must simply be replaced on its original spot.
This applies, for example, to:
- marking
- picking up
- replacing
- accidental contact with a club or foot
Hans-Kienesberger, specialist in regulatory affairs
Hans Kienesberger took up golf in 1988; he passed the ÖGV referee examination in 1998; in 2000 he became a member of the ÖGV Championship Committee; in 2005 he passed the R&A referee examination in St Andrews with a score of 80 per cent; ÖGV Tournament Director and has also officiated on the European Tour – for example, as a referee at the ‘Dunhill Links’ in St Andrews at the invitation of the European Tour.
Anyone who says, ‘Let’s not be too strict about the rules of golf – we’re not playing “The Open” after all’, is playing some sort of ball game, but certainly not golf.
Fundamentally, golf is all about the ‘Spirit of the Game’
Contact:
Hans Kienesberger
ÖGV Championship/Rules Committee
Tel: +43 664 4430602 or +43 664 88524740
Email: hans.kienesberger@golf.at