Rule Question

[Bigtank]

What?

Like I said a "movable object" and loose impediment are different. Moveable objects are not natural parts of the course, rakes, 150 markers, etc.

[Fourputt]

I'm with Rick. Even for a Rules Official present it would be a tough call if he did not witness the scene.

Not necessarily even then. You still have to determine if there was any other condition which might have caused the ball to move. Just because the pine cone was not actually touching the ball isn't reason enough to absolve the player. Moving the pine cone could have caused something else to shift, and ultimately caused the ball to move. You must identify a reasonable cause and effect aside from the player's action before he is relieved of responsibility.

Like I said a "movable object" and loose impediment are different. Moveable objects are not natural parts of the course, rakes, 150 markers, etc.

I believe that you are refering to

movable obstruction . Moveable object is not a term which has any meaning in the Rules of Golf, because it is too general. An obstruction, a loose impediment, a ball, or a club are all "objects" which are moveable, but all are treated differently by the rules. To properly apply the rules, more precision is required.

[Fourputt]

So went out and played with a buddy for his birthday yesterday. On a par three, I hit it left about 3 feet from a pine tree. Had about a 20 foot chip. Here is my question. . . .

Here is the decision which applies to your situation. Note that if there is any doubt as whether you might have caused your ball to move, the penalty is applied.

18-2a/30.5 Ball Moves After Removal of Loose Impediment Near Ball Q. Through the green, a player's ball moves after the player removed a loose impediment near, but not touching, the ball. What is the ruling? A. It is a question of fact whether the player caused his ball to move and thus incurred a penalty under Rule 18-2a. The Committee should evaluate all the evidence and make a decision based on the weight of that evidence. The Committee should consider a number of factors, including the proximity of the loose impediment to the ball, the force and means with which the loose impediment was removed, the presence of a strong wind and the delay, if any, between the removal of the loose impediment and the movement of the ball. Any doubt as to whether the player caused the ball to move should be resolved against the player.