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| | | Forum Newbie
 
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Last Login: 23/07/2008 07:59:55
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| | I use a line on my ball to line up my putts. I have been told that when replacing my ball on the green that the ball is in play when I take my fingers off it. If I want to adjust the alignment of the ball- I currently take a few paces back and assess the line up of the mark with my marker behind the ball and then make a final adjustment, if required that I have to pick the marker up put the marker down behind the ball again, pick the ball up and then replace the ball, or it is a penalty... Surely not! Can any one clarify? |
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| Hi L1
It is true that the ball is in play as soon as you replace it, R20-4, so for example if you replace your ball and the wind moves the ball before you have had chance to remove the marker, you MUST play the ball from it's new position. See Decision R20-4/1.
But whilst your marker is in position, the ball is still marked and you can go back to your ball and adjust it. There is NO Rule or Decision to the contrary.
If there is, ask them to show you, and then please come on here and tell us, I am always very happy to learn something new about the Rules.
All the best,
SH.
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Last Login: 14/08/2008 11:45:16
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| Hi
This raises some interesting side issues.
E.g. does this also apply if the ball is replaced on a slope on a fast green ( like they have at Augusta for example).I.e If you take your hand away and the ball starts moving ( no wind) do you have to replace it or play it from the new position. If you have to replace then you could always claim it was the wind that moved it if it was to your advantage of course. Difficult to prove otherwise even if there is only the slightest of breezes, and lets face it how often is it completely wind-still |
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| | | Forum Member
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| Hi CM,
If your marker is on a slope on a green and the ball rolls away as soon as you replace it then you have to play it from its new position, whether it rolls nearer or further from the hole.
See Decision R20-4/1.
Wind and gravity are not outside agencies.
SH. |
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| Thanks.
Not that I'm advocating cheating, but that might come in handy on the odd occasion a ball 'sticks' on a slope behind the flag. Could be worth marking and replacing just to see what happens. I suppose a reasonable time would have to elapse just to rule out that the ball moved because of the actual replacing. |
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| shawe hall (18/07/2008)
Hi CM,
If your marker is on a slope on a green and the ball rolls away as soon as you replace it then you have to play it from its new position, whether it rolls nearer or further from the hole.
See Decision R20-4/1.
Wind and gravity are not outside agencies.
SH.Please note that the ball is not actually in play until the marker has been lifted therefore if the ball moves before the marker is lifted then it should be replaced. |
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| Hi EGS,
I'm not sure you are right, please look at this and see what you think.
20-4/1 Ball Replaced on Putting Green But Ball-Marker Not Removed; Ball Then Moves
Q. A player replaces his ball on the putting green but does not remove his ball-marker. Subsequently the wind moves his ball to a new position. What is the ruling?
A. Under Rule 20-4, a ball is in play when it is replaced, whether or not the object used to mark its position has been removed. Consequently the ball must be played from the new position — see Decision 18-1/12.
SH |
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| This goes back to my inital question on this thread.
Under Rule 20/4 the ball is in play when it has been placed i.e. when the ball has been put back on the green and the player releases the ball - There is no reference in the rule to the ball not being in play until the marker is picked up.
If this is the case then is it permissible to rotate the ball on its spot when it is already deemed in play or should you remark and pick the ball up again i.e to replace the ball? |
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| | Hi Shawe, I have checked this again and still believe that I am correct in stating that the ball is not in play until the marker has been lifted. The rule states: 20-4.When Ball Dropped or Placed is in Play If the player’s ball in play has been lifted, it is again in play when dropped or placed.I think the definition of the word 'placed' here is the ambiguous part. Here is a good example that I can give: when a player marks his ball on the green then places the ball in front of the marker but leaves the marker in position, now, assuming the player uses a line on the ball to line up his putt, he may move backwards to check the balls alignment then, if he chooses to, can go back to the ball and rotate it to line it up, without incurring a penalty for touching the ball. Once he picks the marker up the ball is in play then he can no longer touch the ball (unless he marks it again) without incurring a penalty. If you believe that I am incorrect please copy 'n paste the relevant sections for rules that your refer to for convenience. |
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