Monday, January 28, 2013

Ask Linda #598-Hazard questions


Linda–
I have been looking at the Note at the end of Rule 13-4. It is difficult to understand how the term "at any time" is used to describe the ability to touch any grass, bush or growing thing in a hazard.

Also, there's no such thing as addressing a ball in a bunker now, so is the definition of "address" only needed when mentioning ball movement? Does one always address a ball to strike it, even in a bunker? Does it mean that if the ball moves –not caused by the player– the player is not implicated?

I would appreciate your thoughts to help us all understand the Rules better!
Thanks,
Lulu from Northern Ireland

Dear Lulu,

A player is permitted to touch any grass, bush, tree, or other growing thing in a hazard. What she is not permitted to touch is the ground. So if you brush the top of the grass while taking a practice “air swing,” or contact a bush in the process of trying to hit your ball, there is no penalty [Decision 13-4/4]. Don’t confuse this with contacting a loose impediment in a hazard, which is not permitted. If you move a pinecone or a leaf on your backswing (both being loose impediments), you will incur a two-stroke penalty.

A ball has been “addressed” when the player grounds her club in front of or behind the ball [Definition of Addressing the Ball]. Since a player is not permitted to ground her club in a bunker or water hazard, a player cannot address her ball in a hazard without incurring a two-stroke penalty [Decision 18-2b/2]. If the player takes her stance in a hazard, and the ball subsequently moves, it must be established what caused the ball to move. If it was the player, there is a one-stroke penalty and ball must be replaced. If there was another cause (e.g., wind, water), there is no penalty [Decision 18-2b/3].

Linda
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