Thursday, August 23, 2012

Ask Linda #511-Divot moves ball


Dear Linda

We played in wet conditions and we could lift and clean our balls. On hole 9 before I got to my ball I made a swing (about 3 meters behind the ball while waiting) and the divot from the swing hit the my ball and moved it. I replaced the ball, then lifted it cleaned it and played on. My scoring partner gave me a one shot penalty – is there a penalty or not?

Regards
Lou from South Africa

Dear Lou,

Yes, Lou. There is a one-stroke penalty for causing your ball to move [Rule 18-2 (i)]. You must replace the ball. If you do not, the penalty increases to two strokes.

Linda
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