1. Facts (Ball Hits Golf Bag)

In match play competition, Reader BE bladed a greenside bunker shot on Hole #9. The ball was screaming over the putting green towards the practice tees when it struck his opponent’s bag and ricocheted back onto the green. BE sunk the putt and won the hole.

Issues

1) Was either player penalized by virtue of the fact that the opponent’s golf bag deflected BE’s ball in motion?

2) Was BE required to replay his shot from the bunker after the deflection?

Ruling

There is no penalty; however, BE had the right to cancel and replay the shot from the bunker, provided he did so before either side played a shot. R19-3. Of course, it would have been a one stroke penalty on BE if he had hit his own bag, or his partner’s bag. R19-2. BE was delighted not to have to cancel and replay the shot. The BMCC bunkers are diabolical these days.

2.Facts (Lifting Ball While Another Ball in Motion)

In match play competition, Foremost has a long 40-foot uphill putt for a par (or something) on Hole #18. He hits the putt with too much conviction, and as it races by the hole opponent RM lifts his ball which was 7-8 feet directly beyond the hole on F’s line. RM does not want his ball to impede the roll of F’s ball. F calls a penalty.

Issue

Was RM entitled to pick up his ball after F’s putt?

Ruling

No. Since RM’s ball was in a position where it “might” have influenced F’s ball, he could not lift it. (R22-1). The penalty, unfortunately, was Loss of Hole.

RM hostilely questioned his disqualification and asked if he would have been penalized if he had simply picked up a club left beyond the hole on the fringe. (He said he hadn’t expected that F would try to hit his putt all the way to the bag room).

With a ball in motion , a player may indeed pick up “any” equipment, such as a club. R24-1. “Equipment” does not include, however, one’s ball in play. (See, Def.)

3. News Note (Leaf Hits Putt)

And on the subject of interference, a player on a mini tour had a 3-foot putt knocked off course by a leaf. He tapped the ball in, but was subsequently penalized 4 strokes: 2 strokes for not replaying the shot after interference by an outside agency on the putting green (R19-5b); and 2 more strokes for signing an incorrect scorecard (R6-6d *note: now a 2 stroke penalty instead of a dq where player didn’t know he had committed an infraction).

4. Facts

Way to go, Lady Dore Bowlers! Exciting over-time win over defending champs, McKendree University of Lebanon, Illinois! Lebanon and Syria both crippled by strikes this weekend!

As usual, all comments or corrections are welcome!

Respectfully submitted,
F