Thursday, May 9, 2013

Ask Linda #654-Player hits mushroom


Linda,
Player searches for his tee shot in semi rough. Spots "it" and plays his shot only to discover that what he hit was a "puff-ball" mushroom. He then finds his ball a few yards ahead. He had intended to make a stroke but what he hit was not a ball. As far as I can see from the rules "Ball" is not defined, so does the fact that he intended to and made a stroke incur a penalty even if the "ball" was not a "ball?"
Regards,
Lou from the United Kingdom

Dear Lou,

A stroke is defined as “the forward movement of the club made with the intention of striking at and moving the ball.” A mushroom is not a ball – no penalty.

Linda
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