Ball moving in rough?

[dak4n6]

I am getting back into competitive golf, and accordingly, I want to play strictly by the rules.

One of my home courses has deep fescue, and I have noticed that when hitting out from it, occasionally the ball will 'rock' a little when I place my club behind it at address as a result of the club moving the grass upon which the ball rests.

Is this a penalty? And, if so, how the heck does one avoid this?

[rustyredcab]

If you cause the ball to move it is a penalty. How to avoid it? Best way is to not into the tall grass. :) Beyond that, be careful and play without placing your club in any position that will move the grass. These are very difficult shots to say the least.

[dak4n6]

Thanks, I thought so. Sometimes in that junk, the ball will move even if the club is a foot or more removed. I'm thinking the only solution (apart from your sage advice - thanks ;-P) is to address the ball at the top of the backswing.

Now, I have even seen the ball move as I step towards it - this can happen when the grass is laying flat and I disturb the extremities of the blades and stems with my legs or feet. Still a penalty?

[luu5]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dak4n6

Now, I have even seen the ball move as I step towards it - this can happen when the grass is laying flat and I disturb the extremities of the blades and stems with my legs or feet. Still a penalty?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustyredcab

If you cause the ball to move it is a penalty.

From definitions:

Quote:

A ball is deemed to have "moved" if it leaves its position and comes to rest in any other place.

And if the ball moves, it has to be replaced, otherwise more penalties.

[dak4n6]

Answering my question with two clicks of a mouse - now that's efficient!

So, I guess if you can tell the ball might move as you approach it you're better off taking an unplayable.

[NuclearMike]

I am getting back into competitive golf, and accordingly, I want to play strictly by the rules.

One of my home courses has deep fescue, and I have noticed that when hitting out from it, occasionally the ball will 'rock' a little when I place my club behind it at address as a result of the club moving the grass upon which the ball rests.

Is this a penalty? And, if so, how the heck does one avoid this?

I see that "A ball is deemed to have moved if it leaves its position and comes to rest in any other place".

So it comes back to its original position?  I think that they call that "oscillating". I'd like some clarification from the rules experts on TST as to whether that's considered as the ball "moved" if it comes back to rest in its original spot.

[dak4n6]

Originally Posted by NuclearMike

I see that "A ball is deemed to have moved if it leaves its position and comes to rest in any other place".

So it comes back to its original position?  I think that they call that "oscillating". I'd like some clarification from the rules experts on TST as to whether that's considered as the ball "moved" if it comes back to rest in its original spot.

Good, that's actually what I was talking about. It doesn't really go from point A to point B and stop, it just kind of rolls back and forth a tiny bit. Usually, when I see it move as I'm setting the club, I pick my clubhead back up and it rocks back to where it was. I will kind of repeat this until I find the place where I can get the clubhead as close as possible without the ball moving, and then swing (usually resulting in the ball going only about 5 yds anyway). So, is that a penalty?

(Good catch Mike)

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by dak4n6

I am getting back into competitive golf, and accordingly, I want to play strictly by the rules.

One of my home courses has deep fescue, and I have noticed that when hitting out from it, occasionally the ball will 'rock' a little when I place my club behind it at address as a result of the club moving the grass upon which the ball rests.

Is this a penalty? And, if so, how the heck does one avoid this?

Don't touch the grass at address.  Learn to hover your club so that it doesn't press the grass enough to affect the ball position.

Originally Posted by dak4n6

Good, that's actually what I was talking about. It doesn't really go from point A to point B and stop, it just kind of rolls back and forth a tiny bit. Usually, when I see it move as I'm setting the club, I pick my clubhead back up and it rocks back to where it was. I will kind of repeat this until I find the place where I can get the clubhead as close as possible without the ball moving, and then swing (usually resulting in the ball going only about 5 yds anyway). So, is that a penalty?

(Good catch Mike)

If it happens in a competition, it's a pretty difficulot thing to say that the ball returned exactly to it's original position.  Regardless of whether it moves laterally or vertically, it has still moved to a new position, and in deep grass it's almost impossible to state categorically that it didn't move even so much as an eighth of an inch.