Facts

“You’ve gotta be kidding”, said Reader LB, after Foremost dropped a penalty on him on the 17th hole of a spirited match play competition. He did not look happy.

Indeed, the timing for a penalty assessment was awful, as LB faced a five footer for his par, which would have merited a halve (or tie)of the hole, as F was already in with his net par.

Truthfully, F was most reluctant to cite an infraction at this time in a tied match, particularly as he was already on the receiving end of a handicap stroke on the hole. Nevertheless, he felt a duty, a higher calling if you will, to do so for the greater golf good and as a moment of instruction for his Readers.

The specific incident at controversy involved LB marking his ball with an oddly shaped pebble. “You can’t do that”, F had said. “That’s a penalty.”

“Why not?”, responded LB, clearly surprised. His mood quickly soured. “It’s better looking than that one-ounce silver coin with the Trump-face on it that you use, and it’s my Lucky Rock.”

Issue

May a Player mark his ball with his Lucky Rock?

Ruling

Not anymore. One of the definitions that has changed under the New Rules is the definition of a “ball-marker”. A ball marker must now be an “artificial object … such as a tee, a coin, an object made to be a ball marker, or another small piece of equipment.” (See Def., “Ball Marker”).

The word “Mark” is also in the definitions, and it requires using a “ball marker” (as defined) or holding a club right behind or right next to the ball. The penalty for marking one’s ball the “wrong way” is one stroke. R14.1a.

F wishes to make it clear, however, that this ruling in no way prohibits a player from using or carrying “”lucky” objects or attire. Tiger can still wear his red shirt. More famously, Reader LR once carried a “lucky” box turtle for two rounds at a BMCC member-guest! No problem. Just don’t pull out that “lucky” putting ball! (R6.3a).

As usual all comments or corrections are welcome!

Respectfully submitted,
F