- Unusable Ball. A player's ball is unsuitable if the ball is visually cracked, cut or no longer holds its original shape.
- Player Responsibilities. You can pick up your ball to determine if it is usable for play. ...
- Ball Replacement. You can substitute another golf ball if it is determined that the original ball is unfit for play. ...
- Penalties. ...
What are the rules for using a substitute ball in golf?
Golf Rule 15, Substituted Ball Wrong Ball. 15-1. Players must finish each hole with the same ball they use to tee off, unless the ball is lost, out of bounds, or replaced with a substitute ball. 15-2. During a hole, a player can replace his ball with a substitute if a rule allows it via drop, or if the ball is deemed unfit for play per rule 5-3.
Can you substitute a ball when taking relief in football?
New Rule: Under Rule 14.3, when taking relief, the player is always allowed the choice to substitute a ball or to use the original ball, including when taking penalty relief and when taking free relief (Rules 15-19).
Can you substitute a ball when taking relief on the Green?
Rule 6.3b says you can substitute a ball when taking relief under a Rule. That includes when either “dropping a ball or placing a ball (such as when a ball will not stay in the relief area or when taking relief on the putting green)” and it allows you to either use your original ball or another ball.
Can you use any ball when taking relief in golf?
The Rule says: “This means that a player may use any ball each time he or she drops or places a ball under this rule.” This was one of the big changes to the rules in 2019 and was designed to clear up what the R&A and USGA had felt was a confusing smorgasbord where you had to use the original ball when taking some forms of relief but not others.
When is substitution allowed in golf?
Substitution is allowed only when a player is taking relief under any Rule – that is, when the player is required or allowed to play the next stroke from somewhere other than where the original ball came to rest.
What are the new golf rules?
New Rule: Under Rule 14.3, when taking relief, the player is always allowed the choice to substitute a ball or to use the original ball, including when taking penalty relief and when taking free relief (Rules 15-19). Reasons for Change:
Is there a need for a different procedure based on whether the player is taking relief with penalty or without
There is no need for a different procedure based on whether the player is taking relief with penalty or without penalty . This also draws a clearer and more intuitive line between when substitution is allowed in returning a ball to play and when the original ball must be returned to play:
Can you substitute a ball when it is lifted?
Substitution is not allowed when a ball was lifted or moved, and the Rules require it to be replaced on its original spot – in that case, the original ball must still be used (unless it cannot be recovered with reasonable effort and in a few seconds).
Can you substitute the original ball in relief?
The previous requirement to use the original ball in some relief situations but not others was confusing, hard to remember and lead to unnecessary penalties. Taking a consistent approach that always allows a player taking relief the choice to substitute a ball or use the original ball is much simpler. There is no need for a different procedure ...
What are the rules for substituting a golf ball?
Golf rules in regards to golf ball substitution are simple. If a golf ball is to be substituted, it must be considered unusable by everyone on the hole. There are certain rules of etiquette that you should follow when substituting a golf ball.
What happens if you don't replace a golf ball?
Penalties. You will be penalized one stroke if you fail to comply with any part of the golf ball substitution procedure and if there is no reason to believe that the golf ball has been damaged during play.
What happens if your golf ball breaks apart?
If your ball shatters or breaks apart as a result of a stroke, the stroke is canceled and you must play a new substituted golf ball as close as possible to the spot from where you originally played your ball.
How many strokes do you lose if you substitute a golf ball?
You will be penalized one stroke if you substitute a ball which is still fit for play, or take a swing at a wrongly substituted golf ball. You will lose two strokes if rule 5-3 (correct substitution of a golf ball) is not followed but discovered.
Why is a player's ball unsuitable?
A player's ball is unsuitable if the ball is visually cracked, cut or no longer holds its original shape. The ball is still usable if there is material stuck to it that can be removed. A ball is still usable if the paint has been scratched or damaged but no other damage is visible.
When you pick up a ball, do you have to announce your intention?
You can pick up your ball to determine if it is usable for play. You must announce your intention to do so before picking up the ball. You should then give other players the opportunity to examine the ball along with the lifting of the ball and replacement. When you pick up your ball you must place a marker in the spot where the ball laid.
Can you replace a golf ball?
Ball Replacement. You can substitute another golf ball if it is determined that the original ball is unfit for play. You must place the new ball on the spot where the old ball rested. If you determine the original ball is usable you must place the ball back in the original position.
What happens if you run out of balls in golf?
If you happen to run out of balls, you can borrow one from any other player, including a practice or X-Out ball (which are generally conforming balls). If you play a wrong ball, you lose the hole in match play or get a two-stroke penalty in stroke play.
Can you use a different ball on putting green?
Generally, you will hole out with the same ball you play from the teeing area. You can always use a new ball when starting a hole. You can also substitute a different ball any time you are taking relief, including both free and penalty relief. Unless the one-ball Local Rule is in effect, the substituted ball could be any brand. On the putting green however, when you mark and lift your ball, you must replace that same ball to finish out the hole .
What is the rule for replacing a ball in golf?
15-2. During a hole, a player can replace his ball with a substitute if a rule allows it via drop, or if the ball is deemed unfit for play per rule 5-3. If the player replaces his ball in a way that breaks the rules, he finishes the hole with that ball but loses the hole in match play or takes a two-stroke penalty in stroke play.
What is a substitute ball in golf?
Substituted Ball. A player may substitute a ball when proceeding under a Rule that permits the player to play, drop or place another ball in completing the play of a hole. The substituted ball becomes the ball in play.
What is the rule for hole out golf?
A player must hole out with the ball played from the teeing ground, unless the ball is lost or out of bounds or the player substitutes another ball, whether or not substitution is permitted (see Rule 15-2). If a player plays a wrong ball, see Rule 15-3. 15-2. Substituted Ball.
What happens if a golfer fails to correct his mistake?
If he fails to correct his mistake before making a stroke on the next teeing ground or, in the case of the last hole of the round, fails to declare his intention to correct his mistake before leaving the putting green, he is disqualified. Strokes made by a competitor with a wrong ball do not count in his score.
What happens if you hit the wrong ball in golf?
After hitting the wrong ball (which doesn’t count), the player must finish the hole with his correct ball.
What happens if you tee off on the next hole?
If he tees off on the next hole, or holes out on the last hole, without correcting the mistake, he’s disqualified. Exception: There is no penalty for hitting a wrong ball that’s moving in a water hazard, and the stroke made doesn’t count. The player must then hit his actual ball or drop according to the rules. 15-1.
Does a wrong ball count as a score in a water hazard?
Any strokes made at a wrong ball moving in water in a water hazard do not count in the player’s score. The player must correct his mistake by playing the correct ball or by proceeding under the Rules. b. Stroke Play. If a competitor makes a stroke or strokes at a wrong ball, he incurs a penalty of two strokes.
Rules of Golf explained: Can I change my original ball when taking relief from preferred lies?
Firstly, let’s get into what preferred lies are. It’s not in the 24 Rules of Golf but, when there are abnormal course conditions such as snow, a lot of rain, or extreme heat that can damage the course or anything that might otherwise interfere with fair play, a committee can bring in a Local Rule for preferred lies.
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.
