Hi Linda,
Super site and thanks for the daily notes.
Re: No. 573 - Ball drops from tree: What is the rule if a
ball hit into a tree stays there until the ball drops out and –you've guessed
it– strikes the player? No action had been taken by player or his
playing partners; nothing more than wind had caused the dislodge. Does he
just carry on and play as it lies, or is he penalised because the ball struck
him although he did nothing to dislodge it? We are talking about a ball
struck from the tee into a tree about 200 yards away; hence some minutes before
the players got to the tree.
Regards,
Lou from St. Albans, UK
Dear Lou,
Murphy's Law notwithstanding, it would seem highly unlikely
that a ball lodged in a tree would be displaced by wind after having sat there
for a number of minutes. Nevertheless, should this ever happen to you, Rule
19-2 is the applicable Rule. "If a player's ball is accidentally deflected
or stopped by himself…the player incurs a penalty of one stroke." He will
play the ball as it lies.
Linda
Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
Response from Lou:
Hi Linda,
I'm assured by a friend that it did indeed happen to
him. He penalised himself 1 shot. When he told me the story I
thought to incur a penalty a bit harsh in the circumstances.
Golf has some cruel Gods!
