Rule 3-3 Question

[Fourputt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fourputt

There is still some doubt in my mind because the wording is subject to misinterpretation.  The second clause in 3-3b does not say anything about the counting the second ball unless the original ball is not one of the two balls being played, so I'm not sure that that part of the first clause applies in this case.

It does if one of the balls was played NOT in accordance with the rules.  You basically take the one that was played in accordance.

Read 3-3b(ii) again - it doesn't say that.  I believe that this becomes a committee decision as to which ball counts if the original ball is not one of the balls played.

You are making an assumption based on the wording in the clause 3-3b(i).  That is a good way to get in trouble when applying the rules.

[Golfbum18]

Read 3-3b(ii) again - it doesn't say that.  I believe that this becomes a committee decision as to which ball counts if the original ball is not one of the balls played.

You are making an assumption based on the wording in the clause 3-3b(i).  That is a good way to get in trouble when applying the rules.

The original ball was played in accordance with the rules.  It was just the second ball played.  No rules of order.

[Asheville]

The second putt was made with a substituted ball? (Where is Wendy for this?)

[Golfbum18]

The second putt was made with a substituted ball? (Where is Wendy for this?)

No, the second putt was made with the original golf ball.

[Fourputt]

The second putt was made with a substituted ball? (Where is Wendy for this?)

According to how the OP stated it, both putts were made with the same ball.

[Asheville]

While 3-3 requires the play of two balls, even though the play was made with a single ball, one must be the original and one must not. The ball retrieved from the hole and played again isn't the "same" ball.

[Dormie1360]

Read 3-3b(ii) again - it doesn't say that.  I believe that this becomes a committee decision as to which ball counts if the original ball is not one of the balls played.

You are making an assumption based on the wording in the clause 3-3b(i).  That is a good way to get in trouble when applying the rules.

Original Ball = The original ball ( if it is one of the two balls played) OR the first ball put into play if the original ball is NOT one of the two balls played).

[Rulesman]

I'm curious, why is this different than if you accidentally hit your ball on a practice swing? In that case you simply play the ball where it ended up counting the movement as a stroke. Is it simply because it is on the green?

It is no different. The player simply didn't know the rule so he chose to play under 3-3.

[Rulesman]

...and failing to do so results in an additional 2-stroke penalty, on top of the 1-stroke earned by moving the ball in the first place.

*PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE:

Match play – Loss of hole; Stroke play – Two strokes.

*If a player who is required to replace a ball fails to do so, or if he makes a stroke at a ball substituted under Rule 18 when such substitution is not permitted, he incurs the general penalty for breach of Rule 18 , but there is no additional penalty under this Rule.

[David in FL]

*PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE:

Match play – Loss of hole; Stroke play – Two strokes.

*If a player who is required to replace a ball fails to do so, or if he makes astroke at a ball substituted under Rule 18 when such substitution is not permitted, he incurs the general penalty for breach of Rule 18, but there is no additional penalty under this Rule.

Thanks.  I knew that......

[Asheville]

I asked the USGA this question:

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Stroke play, ball at rest on the putting green.

Player, during practice swing, accidentally moves his golf ball a few inches, but not nearer the hole. Since, he is uncertain of how to proceed, he declares his intention to play a second ball and seek a ruling after the round. He fails to state which of the two balls he wishes to score with.

Player then, without replacing the ball, putts the ball into the hole. He retrieves the ball from the hole and places it on the spot from which it was accidentally moved. He then putts the ball into the hole.

He reports the facts to the Committee. How does the Committee rule?

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They replied (not a direct quote, because we all know that's not permitted) with this:

In reply to your email, if a player makes a practice swing and accidentally moves his ball in play (see Definition of Ball in Play ), he incurs a penalty stroke under Rule 18-2a , and the ball must be replaced – see Decision 18-2a/20 .

If a player in proceeding under Rule 3-3 fails to announce which ball he wishes to count, the score with the original ball counts, provided it has been played in accordance with the Rules – see Rule 3-3b . Otherwise, the score with the other ball counts if the Rules allow the procedure adopted for that ball. Therefore, in this case, the score with the second ball (i.e., the one he replaced) would count, as it was played in accordance with the Rules and the first ball was not played in accordance with the Rules.

You may wish to refer to Decision 3-3/0.5 for further guidance in determining which ball counts under Rule 3-3 .