Ball cleaning question

[ElWagonne]

Morning all,

Ran into a situation that I'm a bit confused on.  Saturday, I played a shot to chase up onto the green, but it hit a puddle of casual water and came to a muddy halt.  Problem is, we haven't had a drop of rain here in over 3 weeks.  My playing partner said I should be able to clean my ball, but me not being sure, I didn't.  My question is, should I have been allowed to clean my ball in this case?

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by ElWagonne

Morning all,

Ran into a situation that I'm a bit confused on.  Saturday, I played a shot to chase up onto the green, but it hit a puddle of casual water and came to a muddy halt.  Problem is, we haven't had a drop of rain here in over 3 weeks.  My playing partner said I should be able to clean my ball, but me not being sure, I didn't.  My question is, should I have been allowed to clean my ball in this case?

Not if the ball wasn't on the green yet.  There are cases where you are allowed to clean the ball when following certain procedures, but just because the ball happens to pick up some mud isn't one of them.  If the ball had come to rest in casual water, then you would be entitled to relief, and Rule 25 allows you to clean your ball when taking such relief.  The information you gave doesn't make that very clear.

[rustyredcab]

Did the ball stop in the casual water? Were you taking relief from casual water because of your stance? Or did the ball finish outside the water with mud on it?

If you are entitled to pick up/move and drop the ball because of casual water, cart path, or other reason (other than a player asking you to mark your ball off the green), you get to clean it also. If you are not entitled to pick up the ball, you must play it with the mud on it and hope the golf God's even up with you later.

[ElWagonne]

Originally Posted by rustyredcab

Did the ball stop in the casual water? Were you taking relief from casual water because of your stance? Or did the ball finish outside the water with mud on it?

If you are entitled to pick up/move and drop the ball because of casual water, cart path, or other reason (other than a player asking you to mark your ball off the green), you get to clean it also. If you are not entitled to pick up the ball, you must play it with the mud on it and hope the golf God's even up with you later.

No, the ball was outside of the casual water, but full of mud.  I kinda figured I played it the right way (as it lied).  Thx for the insight.