Dear readers,
I am printing the entire exchange with the “Lulu” below to
emphasize the importance of using correct terminology when discussing the Rules
of Golf. I hope to drive home the point that the Rules are easier to understand
if you spend time learning the Definitions in the front of the rulebook before
trying to decipher the Rules.
Linda, during a recent
round--all balls are on the green. I have marked and picked up my ball using a
normal size small marker. My playing partner is away and not directly on line
with my marker but she says my marker "distracts her." She then says
"Here, replace it with my marker if you would." So I put her marker
in place of mine. She then announces (like "triumphantly") that I
will be assessed a one stoke penalty because I should have first replaced the
ball before picking up and replacing the marker!!! Good grief---a friendly
match---and I’m like doing her a favor!!!! BUT----did I violate a rule----or---did
I pick the wrong "friend" to play with???
Thank You,
Lulu
Lulu, I need some clarifications from you, please.
1. What do you mean by "playing partner?" Was this
woman your partner?
2. Was the format match play or stroke play?
Linda
Hi Linda,
This was a foursome
playing an individual stroke play match.
Thanx, Lulu
Lulu, I assume when you say "foursome" you mean
four players in the same group. ("Foursome" actually means
"alternate shot.") I am still confused about the format. You are
calling it a "stroke play match." Is it stroke play (total score in
an 18-hole round) or match play (each hole is won, lost, or halved)?
Linda
Linda,
It was stroke play.
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
Just to review, you were playing in an individual stroke
play competition. One of your fellow competitors asked you to replace your
marker with hers, as she found your marker distracting. You complied by first
picking up your marker and then putting hers down.
The problem with your procedure is that when you picked up your
marker the position of the ball was no longer physically marked. You should
have replaced your ball first, lifted your marker, put down her marker, and
then lifted your ball. The penalty is one stroke [Rule 20-1].
I would like to think that your fellow competitor’s motive
in asking you to switch markers was not to cause you to incur a penalty. The
bottom line, however, is that a player is responsible for knowing the Rules.
Understanding that the position of the ball on the green must always be marked
would have saved you a stroke and the resultant aggravation caused by this
incident.
Linda
Copyright © 2013 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
