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what happens in golf when a player's ball hits another player

by Kasey Stracke II Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Purpose of Rule: Rule 11 covers what to do if the player's ball in motion hits a person, animal, equipment or anything else on the course. When this happens accidentally, there is no penalty and the player normally must accept the result, whether favourable or not, and play the ball from where it comes to rest.

Full Answer

What happens if you hit the ball of another golfer?

If one golfer hits the ball of another golfer, then he has to pay the penalty of 2 strokes according to the golf rules and regulations. The strokes made by wrong ball is not countable. Besides, the golf player has to correct his mistake by playing golf with the right ball under the golf rules precision.

What happens if you hit the ball mid air in golf?

Rule 11.1a says, in these circumstances, there is no penalty to any player “if a player’s ball in motion accidentally hits any person or outside influence”. Both balls must be played as they lie, so just hope if you ever have a mid air collision that you get a soft landing.

Why do golfers hole out with the wrong ball?

One reason they take this action is to avoid playing the wrong ball. Under Rule 15-1 of the standard Rules of Golf, a player must hole out with the ball he hits off the tee, except when the ball is lost, hit out of bounds or substituted.

What happens if the other ball in motion accidentally hits you?

What we have got here are two balls in motion accidentally hitting an outside influence – in this case the other ball in motion. Rule 11.1a says, in these circumstances, there is no penalty to any player “if a player’s ball in motion accidentally hits any person or outside influence”.

What happens if you hit a ball on the fairway?

On the Fairway. If your ball strikes a fellow players ball on the fairway by accident, both players will play from where their balls lie. There will be no penalty incurred. Playing onto the green.

Do you get a penalty for hitting a competitor's ball on the green?

There will be no penalty incurred, and in match play, also no penalty. On the Green. If you putt your ball, and it strikes a competitors ball (which is also on the green) you will incur a 2 shot penalty (stroke play only). Your ball will be played from where it lies, and your friend's ball returned to its original resting position.

What happens when a ball is played from anywhere except the putting green?

The first is when a ball played from anywhere except the putting green comes to rest on a person, animal, or moving outside influence. In that case, the player has to take relief.

What is the rule for hitting a ball in motion?

Rule 11.1a in the Rules of Golf says: “If a player’s ball in motion accidentally hits any person or outside influence, there is no penalty to any player. “This is true even if the ball hits the player, the opponent, or any other player or any of their caddies or equipment.”.

Does a stroke count on a putting green?

Then the stroke doesn’t count and has to be played again.

What happens if you hit both golf balls on the green?

If both balls were on the green, the golfer whose ball was in motion is penalized. If neither ball, or only one golf ball, was on the green, there is no penalty to either golfer. In both scenarios, the golfer whose ball was in motion at the time of the collision must play her ball from where it comes to rest.

What is scenario 1 in golf?

Scenario 1: Neither Ball, or Just One Ball, on the Green. This could mean the shot in question was a tee shot, or an approach played into a green, or any other scenario other than when both balls were on the green prior to making the stroke. For example, your fellow-competitor hits a tee shot, then you hit yours, ...

Is there a penalty for hitting a golf ball in match play?

In match play, there is no penalty. In stroke play, it's a 2-stroke penalty to the player whose ball was in motion when the balls collided. Repeat: It's not a penalty against the golfer whose ball was at rest when it was hit; the penalty is against the golfer whose ball was in motion when the collision happened.

What happens when a golf ball hits another golf ball into the hole?

What happens when a golf ball hits another ball into the hole? If the ball that is in play hits a ball that is at rest and then proceeds to roll into the hole, then it counts as a holed ball. However, if the ball at rest is holed, it must be replaced, and positioned back to its original position.

What is the rule for a golf ball to stay in motion?

After looking at the regulations put in by the USGA, rule 11.1b essentially states that unless the object that obstructed the ball-in-motion is a moving object (such as an animal, person, etc.), the ball must stay where it is. This is because the object should be taken into consideration before the putt was made.

What happens when the red ball collides with the blue ball?

As you can see, after the red ball collides with the blue ball (noted by the blue dot and blue arrow) , it then goes into the hole. The ball in play is counted as a holed ball, and no further action is required. The ball in blue must be placed back onto its original spot on the green.

Why does the ball at rest have to be put back into its original spot?

The ball at rest must be put back into its original spot for two reasons: A player’s ball can not be moved once it is at rest. The ball can only move when it is that player’s turn. An opponent could deliberately hit another player’s ball to put them at a disadvantage.

Can you get penalized for hitting a ball on the green?

According to the USGA’s rules on accidental ball movement on the green, there is no penalty incurred for either player if a ball is accidentally hit. This means that if your opponent accidentally hits your ball while it’s on the green, neither of you would get a penalty. This change in ruling is actually quite new.

Is the ball at rest counted as a holed ball?

Furthermore, the ball at rest is not counted as a holed ball.

What happens if you hit the wrong ball in golf?

When your ball lands in deep rough or is partially buried in a bunker, however, it may be difficult to confirm the ball is yours. Hitting the wrong ball during any competition played under the Rules of Golf will typically result in a penalty.

Why do you hole out with the ball you hit off the tee?

One reason they take this action is to avoid playing the wrong ball. Under Rule 15-1 of the standard Rules of Golf, a player must hole out with the ball he hits off the tee, except when the ball is lost, hit out of bounds or substituted.

What is the penalty for playing the wrong ball?

The standard penalty for playing the wrong ball during stroke play is the loss of two strokes. The actual strokes taken with the wrong ball do not count on the golfer’s score.

What is a two stroke penalty?

Under Decision 15-3b/2, if a player hits a wrong ball, discovers her mistake and searches for her original ball -- but instead plays a second wrong ball -- she suffers a two-stroke penalty for each occurrence, for a total of four strokes.

Why are golf balls yellow?

Some may consider a yellow golf ball tacky, but at least you won't confuse it with someone else's ball. Many golfers use brightly colored felt tip pens to mark their balls prior to competition so they may identify them during play. One reason they take this action is to avoid playing the wrong ball. Under Rule 15-1 of the standard Rules of Golf, ...

Is hitting someone else's ball a violation of the rules of golf?

Decision 15/1 states that if a player swings at the wrong ball he suffers a two-stroke penalty, or loses the hole in match play.

Is there a penalty for a mistake in stroke play?

As in stroke play, there is an exception for a ball that’s in motion within a water hazard; no penalty is assessed, provided the player corrects his mistake by playing his original ball, or a substituted ball.

Why should you mark your ball before hitting your shot?

Per Decision 18-3b/1, in match play, your pal should have asked you to mark your ball before he hit his shot, because it was “reasonably foreseeable” that he might hit your ball with his stroke. Because he didn’t, his errant shot costs him a penalty stroke.

What is the rule for marking a ball?

Rule 20-1 suggests marking your ball with a “small coin or other similar object.”. The Rules place no limit on the size, so go big with your marker if it makes you happy. Just remember to move your manhole cover to the side if it’s in your partner’s line.

How many strokes are allowed in a double hit penalty?

Per Rule 14-4, no matter how many times a ball is hit during the swing, the penalty is one stroke. So let’s add it up: one stroke for your partner’s tee shot, another one (not two) for the double-hit penalty, plus a third for stroke and distance. He’s hitting 4 off the tee.

What is a hole putt?

A holed putt is defined as a ball at rest within the circumference of the hole, with the entire ball below the level of the lip. Since your ball was at rest in the hole before your fellow competitor hit his putt, there’s no penalty for you or him.

Rules of Golf explained: Our expert says

This one makes me wince in club competitions. It’s such an avoidable penalty, yet time and time again I see people taking a chance for the sake of a second of housekeeping.

Have a question for our Rules of Golf expert?

Despite the simplification of the Rules of Golf at the beginning of 2019, there are still some that leave us scratching our heads. And as I’ve passed the R&A’s level 2 rules exam with distinction, I am more than happy to help.

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