R15-1,2; R20-6 “the Insurance Rule”; R33-1; App I PartC; and Where’s the Hazard Line?

Facts

The setting was the difficult Par 4 7th hole at BMCC during the opening match play round of President’s Cup competition.

Foremost’s opponent, BB, had pushed his second shot with the ball just trickling over a mound in the direction of Richland Creek. Indeed, upon arriving at the scene, BB found his ball in the water just over the shelf of the embankment. Dropping to his knees, BB retrieved the ball, confirmed it was his, and started to take a drop.

Before dropping, BB solemnly informed F that he “was mad” at this particular ball, and wished to substitute a different ball.

(1) Issue

May a player substitute a ball when taking a drop from a water hazard if he has found his original ball?

(1) Ruling

Generally, even if a player is mad at his ball, he 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 (R15-1).

A player may substitute another ball, however, under a Rule that allows him to “play, drop, or place” another ball in completing play of a hole (R15-2). Since BB had elected to take a “drop” from the water hazard, he was allowed to substitute a different ball…perhaps one of kindred spirit.

(2) Issue

BB then asked whether the “one ball” rule was in effect requiring that his substituted ball be of the same make and model.

(2) Ruling

Under R33-1 the Committee must establish “the conditions under which a competition is to be played.” In Appendix I, Part C (I)(c), under recommendations of conditions for “only expert players”, during a stipulated round, the Committee could prohibit changing a brand or model of the player’s selected conforming golf ball.

Mercifully, to F’s knowledge, the Committee does not impose the “one ball” condition in member competitions at BMCC.

(Note, however, that this one ball condition (if applied to a competition) gives the player a second chance — if he has dropped a ball of the wrong brand or model but not yet played, he can lift that ball and drop again (R20-6 “the insurance rule”) with a ball of his selected brand and model)

(3)Facts

On the succeeding hole #8, BB’s wedge shot fell short apparently landing in the creek fronting the elevated green. BB approached the creek, and not seeing his ball, quickly dropped a substitute ball and knocked it on the green. Crossing the creek, he found his original ball in play.

(3)Issue

May he now disregard his substituted ball and play his original ball?

(3)Ruling

No. A substituted ball, when played, becomes the ball in play (R15-2). But, the Reader should remember the “insurance rule” R20-6. If BB had spotted his original ball before playing his substituted ball (already dropped), he could have lifted the substituted ball and proceeded with his original ball.

(4) Facts

It was F’s turn to find the water on Hole #15. He yanked his fairway wood off the tee into the lateral water hazard left, scattering several large turtles basking in the sun.  As he apprised his drop, he determined that a straight line between the red stakes extended a foot or two over the water where his ball crossed the hazard line, although the grass was cut leaving a border three or four feet away from the water. There was no painted red line.

(4) Issue

Was the point of entry for the two club-length drop in the hazard between the stakes in the water? At the water’s edge? Or, at the point the mowed grass defined the hazard?

(4) Ruling

The players decided the hazard line had to be at the cut of the grass, but the red stakes alone gave no indication. (This same situation is found below the green on #8 by the creek… where is the hazard line… does it follow the cut of the grass or the stakes?)

As usual, all comments and corrections are welcome!

Respectfully submitted,
F