Question: Dean Bonini
A player marks his ball on a huge slope on the green, removes his marker and walks to the other side of the hole to see the line. The wind picks up and moves the ball and it rolls into the hole. What is the ruling ?
Answer:
Firstly, we must define what Wind, Water & Gravity are in terms of the Rules and also the Definition of Addressing the Ball.
- Wind, Water & Gravity: Are defined as “NOT an Outside Agency” thus their effect on a ball stands.
- Addressing the Ball: Is when the player has taken his stance and also grounded his club (other than in a hazard which is not permitted).
Procedure:
The procedure for dealing with a ball moved as a result of wind, water or gravity will depend on whether the ball was addressed by the player or not, or if the player caused the ball to move.
Ball Addressed
If the player had addressed the ball or caused it to move there is a 1 Stroke Penalty and it must be replaced. If not replaced the player incurs a further 1 Stroke Penalty (2 Strokes in all) – ball played from a wrong place.
If the play from the wrong place is a significant advantage for the player, the player is subject to Disqualification for a Serious Breach of the Rule.
Ball Not Addressed
If the ball is not addressed or caused to be move by the player it must be played as it lies – where it comes to rest even though the marker may still be in place.
Should the ball roll into the hole the player is deemed to have holed out with his last stroke and no further stroke is required and no Penalty is incurred. Similarly, should the ball role into a bunker or water hazard it must be played under the relevant Rule. If the ball is replaced on its original spot in the above instances and a stroke is made a 1 Stroke Penalty is incurred - ball played from wrong place. If not corrected the player incurs a further 1 Stroke Penalty (2 Strokes in all).
If the play from the wrong place is a significant advantage for the player, the player is subject to Disqualification for a Serious Breach of the Rule.
References :
Play Your Golf by the Rules :
• Addressing the Ball – Pg. 4
• Ball at Rest Moved – Pg. 41
• Ball Played from Wrong Place – Pg. 45
• Not an Outside Agency – Pg. 92
• Putting Green – Pg. 108
• Wind, Water or Gravity Moves the Ball – Pg. 153
