The difference between golf and government: “In government, you can always improve your lie.” *

Facts

A passionate rules discussion was underway as Foremost entered the room. Three tables of younger golfers, just returned from a team competition, were paying close attention … all with a tight hold on their wallets pending the resolution of the dispute.

A penalty had been called on Player BV, a penalty which evidently would weigh on the direction and size of the final purse.

The players were playing the ball down, with no “lift, clean, and place” local rule relief. BV had found his drive in the middle of a fairway, with a large clump of mud attached. He said the clump looked like the Batman Building or an Egyptian pyramid. Without touching his ball, or causing it to move (conceded points), he had pinched a large portion of the dirt off the ball, an act which had led to the penalty call.

BV was arguing that this action was not in violation of the Rules. “As long as as I didn’t touch the ball or cause it to move”, he asked, “what’s the difference in removing a little dirt, as opposed to a leaf, a twig, a pine cone, or some other Loose Impediment?”

Ruling

Indeed, clumps of dirt (such as aeration plugs) may be “Loose Impediments” provided, however, they are not “sticking to the ball”, in which case they are not “loose”. (See, Def. “Loose impediments”). The mud clump BV pinched and removed was clearly attached to the ball, thus not a “LI”.

Rule 8 addresses one of the central principles of the game, that a player must play the course as he finds it. Accordingly, players may not take action to improve “conditions affecting the stroke” including actions to improve the “Lie” of a ball at rest. (R8.1, and See, Def. “Conditions Affecting the Stroke”). A “Lie” is defined as “the spot on which a ball is at rest and any…attached natural object …touching the ball” (like a clump of dirt, perhaps). (See Def., “Lie”).

The penalty for a breach of R8.1 is the General Penalty, LOH in Match Play, or two strokes in Stroke Play. Even a government worker couldn’t talk himself out of this penalty!

As usual, all comments and corrections are welcome!

Respectfully submitted,
F

* ”Near Dark, Scott Hovarth Series”, Brad Thor