How to Read First Exception to Rule 9.4b - Ball Moved or Touched

[reidsou]

Rule 9.4b says, "If the player lifts or deliberately touches his or her ball at rest or causes it to move, the player gets one penalty stroke."

The first exception is confusing to me because it reads like a giant loophole: "There is no penalty when the player lifts the ball or causes it to move under a Rule that: Allows the ball to be lifted and then replaced on its original spot,... " 

For example, rule 13.1b allows lifting a ball on the green. So the exception in 9.4b might indicate you can just pick up your ball when it's on the green, no penalty.

Have to read rule 13.1b (and Interpretation 9.4b/1) to realize the ball has to be marked before lifting. 

There are other examples of rules that allow lifting and replacing. I believe all of them state the ball must be marked first. 

The 9.4b exception seems needlessly confusing. Is there another way to read it? 

 

[iacas]

Your making it more complicated than it is.

It just says “you can’t lift or move your ball unless another rule allows it.”

This rule is about the penalty when you’re not allowed to lift or move it.

[DaveP043]

9 hours ago, reidsou said:

Rule 9.4b says, "If the player lifts or deliberately touches his or her ball at rest or causes it to move, the player gets one penalty stroke."

The first exception is confusing to me because it reads like a giant loophole: "There is no penalty when the player lifts the ball or causes it to move under a Rule that: Allows the ball to be lifted and then replaced on its original spot,... " 

For example, rule 13.1b allows lifting a ball on the green. So the exception in 9.4b might indicate you can just pick up your ball when it's on the green, no penalty.

Have to read rule 13.1b (and Interpretation 9.4b/1) to realize the ball has to be marked before lifting. 

There are other examples of rules that allow lifting and replacing. I believe all of them state the ball must be marked first. 

The 9.4b exception seems needlessly confusing. Is there another way to read it? 

The 2019 revisions to the rules purposely attempted to minimize duplication.  Rule 9.4 doesn't intend to tell you how to proceed if you are allowed to lift your ball, just that you are not allowed to lift, move, or deliberately touch it unless proceeding under a rule that specifically allows you to do so.  If you ARE proceeding under such a rule, you should refer to that rule.  For information on lifting, dropping, replacing, etc. under a rule (13, 15, 16, 17, 19 and maybe others that I can't remember right now) you are consistently referred to Rule 14.  Your example, 13.1b specifically refers you to 14.1 and 14.2.  

[reidsou]

On 7/15/2022 at 6:09 AM, DaveP043 said:

The 2019 revisions to the rules purposely attempted to minimize duplication.  Rule 9.4 doesn't intend to tell you how to proceed if you are allowed to lift your ball, just that you are not allowed to lift, move, or deliberately touch it unless proceeding under a rule that specifically allows you to do so.  If you ARE proceeding under such a rule, you should refer to that rule.  For information on lifting, dropping, replacing, etc. under a rule (13, 15, 16, 17, 19 and maybe others that I can't remember right now) you are consistently referred to Rule 14....

I believe rule 16.1d - relief from an abnormal course condition on the green - is an exception to the requirement that the ball be marked before touching it. If proceeding under this rule, marking is not required. 

[StuM]

4 hours ago, reidsou said:

I believe rule 16.1d - relief from an abnormal course condition on the green - is an exception to the requirement that the ball be marked before touching it. If proceeding under this rule, marking is not required. 

I believe that is correct.  Rule 14.1 states:

“When you lift your ball to take relief under a Rule, you are not required to mark the spot.”