Rule Question

WacoKid

Firstly, I line up my putts using a line on the golf ball.

SCENARIO:
After approach shots my ball comes to rest on the fringe and so does my partners, directly behind me. In order for my partner to putt he asks me to mark and lift the ball. I mark and lift the ball but do not clean it. Now I have to place it back in the exact location without cleaning it.

QUESTION:
Can I align my ball at the hole using the line on the ball when I am replacing it?

GreeBo

WacoKid wrote: »

Firstly, I line up my putts using a line on the golf ball.

SCENARIO:
After approach shots my ball comes to rest on the fringe and so does my partners, directly behind me. In order for my partner to putt he asks me to mark and lift the ball. I mark and lift the ball but do not clean it. Now I have to place it back in the exact location without cleaning it.

QUESTION:
Can I align my ball at the hole using the line on the ball when I am replacing it?

I would say yes.
As its a sphere its location is not determined by its orientation.
However you might leave yourself open to being judged to have cleaned it if you are manipulating it in our hands. Id try to pick it up in such a two fingered way that you can put it back down without touching it with any other fingers.

Jasonw

Good question.

I would say no as the ball must be placed in the same position as it was lifted from.

WacoKid

I didn't line it up to avoid any issues but I agree that holding it with 2 fingers means it should go back eaxcatly the way it was lying.

I wonder if the R&A have come across that one!

Jasonw

Hi Grebo I respect your opinion but let me put it another way:

If for example you had a lump of mud on your ball, wouldn't you agree that it wouldn't be proper to reorientate the ball to minimise the effect it had on your shot?

GreeBo

Jasonw wrote: »

Hi Grebo I respect your opinion but let me put it another way:

If for example you had a lump of mud on your ball, wouldn't you agree that it wouldn't be proper to reorientate the ball to minimise the effect it had on your shot?

I would argue that if you have a lump of muck on your ball then its going to interfere no matter what you do. If you put it to one side then your ball is going to turn to that side. If you put it on the path its going to roll then it will have to roll over it. Which is more detrimental...hard to say that you are improving your lie either way.

"that holding it with 2 fingers means it should go back eaxcatly the way it was lying"
Holding it with two fingers is just so you can clearly show that you are not making any attempt to clean it. You will often see players leave it on the ground somewhere else to ensure they dont accidentally clean it etc.

Jasonw

Greebo - you are correct.

Decision 21/5:

Question:
A piece of mud adheres to a player's ball. The player lifts the ball under a Rule which does not permit cleaning. When he replaces the ball, may he place it facing another direction so that the mud would not interfere between the clubface and the ball?

Answer:
Yes, provided the ball is replaced on the spot from which it was lifted. However, if the player rotated the ball in such a way so as to “tee” it on the mud, he would be in breach of Rule 20-3a.

GreeBo

Jasonw wrote: »

Greebo - you are correct.

Decision 21/5:

Question:
A piece of mud adheres to a player's ball. The player lifts the ball under a Rule which does not permit cleaning. When he replaces the ball, may he place it facing another direction so that the mud would not interfere between the clubface and the ball?

Answer:
Yes, provided the ball is replaced on the spot from which it was lifted. However, if the player rotated the ball in such a way so as to “tee” it on the mud, he would be in breach of Rule 20-3a.

Good find and good to be sure.

Thx.

WacoKid

Yes, have to say that was a good find