Linda, are you saying you can lift another player's ball in stroke
play without marking it?
Thanks,
Lou
Dear Lou,
Excellent question, Lou. This is a good opportunity to
clarify the rules regarding lifting another player’s ball.
Lifting without permission
Players are not supposed to arbitrarily lift another
player’s ball without express permission. In match play, the penalty for
lifting another player’s ball without authority is one stroke, and the ball
must be replaced. The penalty is assessed to the player who lifted the ball
[Decision 20-1/2]. In stroke play, on the contrary, there is no penalty for
this behavior [Decision 20-1/4].
Lifting with
permission
When a player gives permission to a fellow competitor
(stroke play) or an opponent (match play) to lift his ball, responsibility for any
incorrect procedure shifts to the player. The golfer who has been given
permission must mark the ball before he lifts it. If the ball is not marked,
the player (not the lifter) incurs a one-stroke penalty and the ball must be
replaced [Rule 20-1].
Linda
Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
