Ruling on 'divot moves a ball'.

aubreym

strange one.

middle of fairway on par 5, waiting for the group in front, so stand around 10 feet behind the ball & to the side of it & take a few practice swings. Hit the ground which results in a divot which hits the ball & moves the ball a few inches clearly.

whats the situation?

move the ball back without penalty?
move the ball back with penalty?

local pro reports on enquiry that it was outside your area of an intended practice swing, so move ball back without penalty.

any clarification?

D3PO

I cant clarify but I would assume it would have to be replaced under penalty.

interested in an official ruling on this very unusual situation mind you.

k.p.h

Its a 1 stroke penalty under the 18-2 Rules

PhilipMarlowe

Although it was unusual I think it would be thought of as "reasonably foreseeable" and something that was avoidable with "due care" so replace with a 1 shot penalty.

See decision below from http://www.randa.org/en/Rules%20and%20Amateur%20Status/Rules%20of%20Golf.aspx#/rules/

Decision 18-2a/20.5 Player’s Practice Swing Moves Loose Impediment Which Moves Ball

Q. In making a practice swing near his ball, a player moves a loose impediment (e.g. a stone), which causes his ball in play to move. What is the ruling?

A. The player is deemed to have caused his ball in play to move in breach of Rule 18-2a; he incurs a one-stroke penalty and must replace the ball.
This ruling differs from that in Decision 18-1/8 both because it is reasonably foreseeable that a practice swing will move loose impediments that may in turn cause a ball in play to move, and because a player can, through reasonable care, avoid taking practice swings that might produce such a result.

aubreym

general consensus seems to be a 1 shot penalty but haven't found anything relating to a divot moving a ball anywhere.

loose impediment (e.g. a stone) seems to be the nearest but soil is not a loose impediment .

will post once i get a definite answer.

PhilipMarlowe

Well I don't see how you could hope to avoid a penalty because you caused the ball to move (although it was a little weird) and I can't see any reason for an exception under 18-2?

Jul3s

aubreym wrote: »

general consensus seems to be a 1 shot penalty but haven't found anything relating to a divot moving a ball anywhere.

loose impediment (e.g. a stone) seems to be the nearest but soil is not a loose impediment .

will post once i get a definite answer.

As Licksy explained above (but maybe not clear enough for some), in this instance the divot is the loose impediment and because your actions made the divot move and in turn your ball, it's a clear one shot penalty and replace the ball, if you don't replace the ball then it's a two shot penalty and if for some reason you don't apply either of those rules correctly, then you are disqualified for signing for a wrong score.

thehunter

k.p.h wrote: »

Its a 1 stroke penalty under the 18-2 Rules

awful rule but correct:pac:

Kace

Rule is spot on. Anything else could lead to a friendly divot throwing contest to see who can move the ball the furthest.