I. Two Balls Touching

Facts (1)

On two separate occasions in the same round at OEI, Sandwich found his ball touching another ball. On the first occasion, the balls were paired together in a dense rough. On the second occasion, his ball lay atop another ball in the high grass of a Penalty Area, a location from which his ball would have been playable, but for the interference posed by the underlying ball.

As the players contemplated the improbability and symbolism, if any, of Sandwich encountering touching balls twice in the same day, Sandwich removed the offending balls by gently massaging the stray balls away from his balls. An observer noted that Sandwich’s own ball might have shifted during the removal of the touching ball.

Facts (2)

Reader AN encountered a similar “touching balls” situation at HCC, except on this occasion the ball was one of an opponent rather than a stray ball left previously on the course. AN’s ball was closer to the hole than that of his opponent so he marked it to the side so that the marker would not interfere with the swing path of his opponent.

The opponent played leaving a substantial divot at the precise spot upon which AN was required to replace his marker and ball.

Issues: Is a player entitled to relief from a touching ball? Does a right to relief exist if the balls are located in a Penalty Area as opposed to the General Area? Is the player penalized if his ball moves during the removal of the touching ball? In replacing a marked ball, must a player play out of a divot created by the prior play of the opponent with the touching ball?

Rulings

Sandwich Case #1: A ball that has been discarded anywhere on the course may be a “movable obstruction”. The relief procedure for “touching balls” then depends upon whether the balls are simply touching, or whether the player’s ball lies atop and is balanced on the touching ball.

If the balls are simply touching, the Player may remove the MO ( Movable Obstruction). If his own ball moves in the moving process, he may replace it with no penalty. (R15.1). (This case is similar to the more common situation of a ball leaning against a green side rake…the player can remove the rake and replace his ball).

Sandwich Case #2: If, however, he finds his ball balanced atop the other ball, he must drop his ball into the appropriate Relief Area, which is one club-length, and must be in the same area of the course no closer to the hole. (R15.2 and 14.3).

A player incurs the General Penalty for his failure to replace a moved ball, or failure to drop a ball sitting atop a MO (i.e., another ball).

AN Case: In the example, AN found his ball touching a fellow player’s ball and closer to the hole. Clearly, his ball would interfere with the play of the other player. F cautions, however, that AN needs to be careful in taking his relief. Whether his ball interferes with the ball of the other player is the call of the other player, and AN may lift his ball only upon the request of the other player. (R15.3b(2). He is then penalized, also, one stroke if he fails to mark his ball or if he cleans it while lifted.

Assuming AN lifted his ball upon request, after marking and not cleaning it, he is entitled to relief from the divot (an “altered lie”). He may replace it on the nearest spot with a lie most similar to the original lie, no nearer to the hole and in the same area of the course. (R14.2d(2).

If the other player for some reason never asked AN to move his ball, and AN’s ball was moved by that player’s play, AN would be entitled to replace his ball at its original spot. (R9.6).

II. Polite Discourse in Match Play

Foremost was honored to be a non-participant player witnessing an important Match Play competition between TD and DB at HCC. Of course, F was a witness only, and in such capacity, would never interject himself, unasked, into any aspect of this highly competitive and well-played Match, although in hindsight, he finds a commentary might be appropriate for the consideration of this body of Readers.

At a critical point in the Match, Player DB had a 1 1/2 to 2 foot putt to win the hole. As he approached his putt and began taking his stance, opponent TD stepped in, looked the putt over, and said in a solemn, respectful, and almost embarrassed-sounding tone, “I’m sorry, but I guess I’m going to have to make you putt that…”

What a considerate thing to say! And the timing was impeccable! “Of course, no problem”, said DB graciously. He backed off the putt he had been prepared to hit anyway, without the interruption, and then stepped back in.

F observed this intrusion, and was reminded of a similar instance years ago as he had stood over a 1 1/2 foot putt to win a hole in an important Match Play competition. Just as he was drawing back his putter, opponent RB had quietly whispered …. “Take your time …”

F had been forced to back off and regroup.

The Reader might imagine how these two putts fared.

While DB was a perfect gentleman on this day, F, at that time, was young and still developing the sterling golf etiquette behavior for which he is noted today. He remembers directing a rather long and heated dog-cussing at his friend and opponent, RB, which concluded thusly, “There was only one thing to say at that particular time…’THAT’S GOOD’ ….otherwise you should have kept your distance and kept your d… mouth shut”!

F would suggest that the lesson here is that a participant needs to be extra careful around the silvery-tongued, seeming nice guys in Match Play!

As usual, all comments and corrections are welcome!

Respectfully submitted,
F

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