Thursday, October 25, 2012

Ask Linda #546-Match play boondoggle


Dear Linda,

A and B are playing a four ball match against C and D. A is on the green with a putt for a bogey.

B is in a greenside hazard. B makes "air" swings in the hazard that don't touch the ground or water, but brush the top of the growing grasses in the hazard. B then plays her shot onto the green close to the hole and taps in for a par. A picks up her ball. C and D both bogey the hole. Then C and D claim that B had a 2 stroke penalty for touching the grass in the hazard and is therefore out of the hole, and that since A picked up she is out of the hole also, so C and D claim they won the hole. A and B don't know their rules well enough to disagree and let C and D win the hole on their claim.

My thoughts: The note to 13-4 says that it was not a penalty for B to touch the growing grass in the hazard. A and B should have known their rules better, or should have known to not agree to C and D's claim until they found an official. But, is there anything in the rules (maybe an equity thing?) that requires C and D to notify A and B of the claimed penalty before A picks up her ball?  

Thanks - Love your emails.
Lulu

Dear Lulu,

In match play, if there is disagreement among the players that cannot be resolved, a player may file a claim to be reviewed later by the Committee. This claim must be made before any player hits from the next tee [Rule 2-5].

In the scenario you describe, there was no dispute. Team A-B agreed with team C-D’s mistaken assertion that A-B lost the hole because B supposedly incurred a two-stroke penalty and A, unfortunately, picked up, thereby removing herself from contention.

If A and B had stood their ground and insisted that the claim by C and D be resolved by an official, the claim would have been reviewed by a Committee member later on or after the round. A and B would have been awarded the hole. However, A and B did not know the Rule and therefore were swayed by the argument of C and D. The result of the hole stands, with C and D winning the hole.

There is no requirement to inform a player of a Rules violation (real or supposed) committed by her partner before she picks up her ball. The deadline for discussion is before anyone hits from the next tee.

This unfortunate incident is a wonderful argument for the importance of knowing the Rules. In the absence of knowledge, players A and B should have at least requested that the matter be resolved by an official.

Linda
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