What are the rules for moving a golf ball at rest?
Golf Rule 18, Ball At Rest Moved. 18-1. If an outside agency moves a ball at rest, there is no penalty; the player must replace the ball. In general, an outside agency is anything other than a player, caddie, a ball in play on the hole or a player’s equipment. Wind and water aren’t considered outside agencies.
Can You Move Your ball in golf?
As with everything in golf always remember the "play it as it lies" rule and don't ever assume you can move your ball. Check with a rules official, tournament committee member and/or a playing partner before you make a move and when in doubt play 2 balls.
Can You Lift your ball at rest in golf?
This is all covered in Rule 7.4. Obviously, there is no penalty for lifting or causing your ball at rest to move if you are in a situation where the Rules allow you to lift or move your ball. For example, perhaps your ball is right in front of another player’s ball on the fringe and you need to lift your ball to allow the other player to play.
What happens if a ball at rest is moved?
If a ball at rest is moved by another ball in motion, the ball at rest must be replaced without penalty. John Wagner is a certified golf instructor and professional golfer with over eight years of experience. As a certified GolfTEC and Chuck Cook golf instructor, he has given over 3,000 golf lessons.
Can you move your golf ball on the green?
New Rule: Under Rule 13.1d, there is no longer a penalty if a player (or opponent) accidentally causes the player's ball to move on the putting green.
When can you move a golf ball without penalty?
Exception 1 – Player Allowed to Lift or Move Ball: There is no penalty when the player lifts the ball or causes it to move under a Rule that: Allows the ball to be lifted and then replaced on its original spot, Requires a moved ball to be replaced on its original spot, or.
Can you move ball on fairway?
If your ball is in the fairway and you accidentally kick and move it, that will be a one-stroke penalty and the ball must be replaced on its original spot. If you move a leaf next to your ball in the rough and that causes your ball to move, the same penalty will apply.
Can a Caddie remove the ball from the hole?
The player's caddie is allowed to mark and lift the player's ball on the putting green any time the player is allowed to do so, without needing authorization. The caddie continues to be allowed to replace the player's ball only if the caddie was the one who had lifted or moved the ball.
Can you pick up and clean a ball on the fairway?
Here's how lift, clean and place works (typically): If a golfer is hitting their current shot from a lie in the fairway of the hole they're playing, then they're able to pick up the golf ball (after first marking the original spot with a tee or other marker), clean off the golf ball, then put it back by placing it in a ...
Can you move your ball on the green without marking it?
“For example, a player gets one penalty stroke if he or she: without first marking the ball's spot, rotates the ball on the putting green to line up the trademark with the hole, even if the ball remains on the same spot”. If only you'd just marked it first.
Can you move a ball a club length?
Drop a ball within one club-length to either side of a straight line from the hole through the point where your ball last crossed the edge of the penalty area, going back as far as you'd like. If you move any player's ball (even your own) while searching for it, there is no penalty, just replace the ball.
Can you mark your golf ball with a tee?
Ball-markers must be artificial, such as a tee, coin, the toe of your putter, or other small piece of equipment. A natural object like a leaf or twig may not be used as a ball-marker. The ball-marker must be placed next to the ball, which includes behind, in front, or left and right of the ball.
Can you carry 2 putters in your golf bag?
According to the USGA and R&A rules, you can have two putters in your bag when playing a professional round of golf provided the total number doesn't exceed 14. The same thing applies when you're playing a normal golf round.
What can caddies not do?
A caddie must not set an object down anywhere on or off the putting green to show the line of play. This is not allowed even if that object is removed before the stroke is made.
How many caddies can a golfer have?
Pursuant to Rule 6-4, a player may only use one caddie at a time. In stroke play, the player loses two strokes at each of the first two holes during which she uses more than one caddie. In match play, the offender loses each hole during which she uses more than one caddie, up to a maximum of two lost holes.
How many rules are there for moving golf balls at rest?
Official Golf Rules on Moving Golf Balls at Rest. There are 34 rules outlined in the Rules of Golf. Knowing how to proceed when you encounter a ruling on the course will make for a quicker round. Rule 18 explains how to proceed when a ball at rest is moved.
What happens if a player sets his club behind the ball and his ball moves?
If a player sets his club behind the ball and his ball moves, the player is deemed to have moved the ball. It is a one-stroke penalty and the ball must be replaced. The only time the ball is not replaced is when the ball moves during the player's swing and the ball is hit. A one-stroke penalty is still enforced.
What happens if you accidentally move a ball in a golf game?
If the player, his partner, caddie or equipment accidentally causes his ball to move, the player incurs a one-stroke penalty. The ball must be replaced to its original position. The only time a player does not incur a penalty is when searching for a ball in sand, abnormal ground conditions or water. In those cases, if the player accidentally causes the ball to move, it must be replaced with no penalty.
What happens if a player's ball is moved by an opponent?
If a player's ball is moved by an opponent, his caddie or equipment, the opponent incurs a one-stroke penalty and the ball must be replaced. If it occurs during a search for the ball, there is no penalty and the ball is replaced.
What is the rule for moving a ball at rest in golf?
Golf Rule 18, Ball At Rest Moved. 18-1. If an outside agency moves a ball at rest, there is no penalty; the player must replace the ball. In general, an outside agency is anything other than a player, caddie, a ball in play on the hole or a player’s equipment. Wind and water aren’t considered outside agencies.
What happens if you move the ball in golf?
the player incurs a penalty of one stroke. If the ball is moved, it must be replaced, unless the movement of the ball occurs after the player has begun the stroke or the backward movement of the club for the stroke and the stroke is made.
What happens if a caddie moves the ball in stroke play?
18-4. In stroke play, if a player’s competitor, his caddie or equipment moves the ball (intentionally or not), there’s no penalty and the ball must be replaced.
What happens if a ball is moved by an outside agency?
By Outside Agency. If a ball at rest is moved by an outside agency, there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced. Note: It is a question of fact whether a ball has been moved by an outside agency. In order to apply this Rule, it must be known or virtually certain that an outside agency has moved the ball.
What happens if a ball is moved in measuring?
If a ball or ball-marker is moved in measuring while proceeding under or in determining the application of a Rule, the ball or ball-marker must be replaced. There is no penalty, provided the movement of the ball or ball-marker is directly attributable to the specific act of measuring.
What is the rule for playing the ball as it lies?
In order to apply this Rule, it must be known or virtually certain that an outside agency has moved the ball. In the absence of such knowledge or certainty, the player must play the ball as it lies or, if the ball is not found, proceed under Rule 27-1. (Player’s ball at rest moved by another ball – see Rule 18-5) 18-2.
Is there a penalty for moving the ball on the green?
There’s also no penalty if the ball is moved while the player repairs a plugged hole or pitch mark on the green, measures its distance from the hole, is marking and lifting the ball, moving a loose impediment on the green or moving an obstruction.
When the ball is moved, it must be replaced?
If the ball is moved, it must be replaced, unless the movement of the ball occurs after the player has begun the stroke or the backward movement of the club for the stroke and the stroke is made.
What is the rule for ball at rest?
Rule 18 – Ball At Rest Moved is one of those rules. Here is a little breakdown of that rule and how to proceed under this rule when it applies. If a ball at rest is moved by an outside agency, there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced. However, in order to apply this rule it must “be known or virtually certain” that an outside agency has ...
What happens if a ball moves after a stroke?
If a player’s ball in play moves after he has addressed it (other than as a result of a stroke), the player is deemed to have moved the ball and incurs a penalty of one stroke. The ball must be replaced, unless the movement of the ball occurs after the player has begun the stroke or the backward movement of the club for the stroke and ...
What is the rule for a lost ball?
If not, you must deem the ball lost and proceed under Rule 27 for a lost ball.
What is the rule for searching for a ball covered by sand?
In searching for a ball covered by sand, in the replacement of Loose Impediments moved in a Hazard while finding or identifying a ball, in probing for a ball lying in water in a Water Hazard or in searching for a ball in an Obstruction or an Abnormal Ground Condition – Rule 12-1
What is the old rule in golf?
The Old Rule: This is the source of some of the most incendiary rules controversies in the past several years. Naturally, golf made it a major part of the revised rulebook. There are three key rules that currently relate to determining when a ball moved: Rule 18-2 says that if a player or opponent accidentally causes the ball to move anywhere on ...
When did the rules change in golf?
Dustin Johnson's controversial penalty at the 2016 U.S. Open sparked some major changes to the rulebook. On Jan. 1, more than 30 changes to the Rules of Golf– some small, others significant – will take effect.
Is there a penalty for moving your putter?
If the ball moves while your putter is behind the ball, no penalty. Anything done on accident is penalty-free – of course it’s up to you to show integrity and declare the ball’s movement accidental or intentional. But harsh, arbitrary penalties for accidentally moving your ball will soon be part of golf’s past.
What is the rule for a player's ball at rest moved by another ball?
In the absence of such knowledge or certainty, the player must play the ball as it lies or, if the ball is not found, proceed under Rule 27-1. (Player's ball at rest moved by another ball - see Rule 18-5)
What happens if a ball moves after address?
Ball Moving After Address. If a player's ball in play moves after he has addressed it (other than as a result of a stroke), the player is deemed to have moved the ball and incurs a penalty of one stroke. The ball must be replaced, unless the movement of the ball occurs after the player has begun the stroke or the backward movement ...
What happens if a ball is moved by an outside agency?
By Outside Agency. If a ball at rest is moved by an outside agency, there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced. Note: It is a question of fact whether a ball has been moved by an outside agency. In order to apply this Rule, it must be known or virtually certain that an outside agency has moved the ball.
What is the exception to Rule 18-2B?
Exception: If it is known or virtually certain that the player did not cause his ball to move, Rule 18-2b does not apply.". The above covers the ball being moved by an outside agency, by a player, by his partner, by his caddie, by his equipment and moving after address.
What to do if your golf club ends up in a precarious location?
If it ends up in a precarious location just make sure to hover rather than ground the club. It's better to be safe than sorry. Also pay attention to your feet. Even though they are a few feet away from the ball, if you step on a twig or some soft pine needles it can cause things to shift.
What does "caddie" mean in soccer?
a. General. Except as permitted by the Rules, when a player's ball is in play, if. (i) the player, his partner or either of their caddies: • lifts or moves the ball, • touches it purposely (except with a club in the act of addressing the ball), or. • causes the ball to move, or.
Can you move your ball in golf?
As with everything in golf always remember the "play it as it lies" rule and don't ever assume you can move your ball. Check with a rules official, tournament committee member and/or a playing partner before you make a move and when in doubt play 2 balls.
How to drop a ball in golf?
The new procedure means there will be greater consistency across all relief procedures, making it simpler for players to know where and how to drop a ball: 1 For example, many times under the previous Rules, a player was required to drop a ball as near as possible to a certain spot (such as where the previous stroke was made or where a ball was embedded) and questions often arose about whether it had been dropped near enough to that spot. 2 The new procedure when dropping with reference to a spot is to drop a ball anywhere in a relief area measured one or two club-lengths from (but not nearer the hole than) that spot.
Why is it important to have the ball come to rest in the same relief area?
Requiring the dropped ball to come to rest in and be played from the same relief area where it was dropped makes it much more likely that the ball will be played from close to where it originally came to rest. The new procedure means there will be greater consistency across all relief procedures, making it simpler for players to know where ...
What are the new golf rules?
New Rule: Players continue to drop a ball when taking relief, but the dropping procedure is changed in several ways as detailed in Rule 14.3: The ball must be dropped in and come to rest in the relief area; and there is no re-drop requirement if the dropped ball accidentally hits a person or object after hitting ...
What happens if the ball does not come to rest?
If the placed ball does not come to rest on that spot after two attempts, the player will then place the ball on the nearest spot (not nearer the hole) where it will come to rest.
How many club lengths can a dropped ball roll?
A dropped ball was previously allowed to roll up to two club-lengths from where it hit the ground – so that, for example, it could have ended up being played up to three club-lengths from the nearest point of relief from a cart path or ground under repair, or up to four club-lengths from where the original ball went into a lateral water hazard or where it was unplayable.
What happens if you drop a ball twice?
If the dropped ball comes to rest outside the relief area, it is dropped a second time; if it comes to rest outside the relief area after being dropped a second time it is placed where it first touched the ground. If the placed ball does not come to rest on that spot after two attempts, the player will then place the ball on the nearest spot ...
Loose Impediments
Twigs, stones, fallen branches, leaves and living creatures are considered loose impediments as long as they are neither embedded or growing into the ground nor stuck on the golf ball.
Moving Loose Impediments
Under the rule of golf 23-1 any loose impediment can be removed from around the golf ball if both the ball and loose impediment are not in a hazard. For example, if a ball comes to rest in the rough and there are leaves all around, the golfer can clear away the leaves and not incur a penalty.
Penalties
When clearing away loose impediments a golfer must be careful that the loose impediments being cleared away do not cause the ball to move. If movement of the ball occurs because of the removal of loose impediments the golfer must replace the ball and incur a one stroke penalty. But, if the ball is on the putting green and it moves because the golfer is clearing loose impediments, there is no penalty provided the ball is replaced to its original position..
About the Author
Kevin Boehler attended the University of Nebraska, where he attained a degree in professional golf management. Boehler enjoys teaching golf to others, helping them not only play better, but love the game as well. He has a vast knowledge of the golf swing and a variety of other golf-related information.
