Did Verplank Get Shafted on 13?

[roverT7]

I had to vote 3, because I really have no idea. I'm not familiar enough with the rules, and there was no video of the incident. The announcers seemed to think it was pretty straightforward: he incurred a penalty. I was, however, in agreement with Verplank in that, regardless of whether he addressed the ball or not, if he did not cause the ball to move, he shouldn't be assessed a penalty.

But you have to admit, Nick Faldo's comment about Sabbatini was absolutely classic.

Rob

[JaY_B]

What happened?

[roverT7]

Verplank was preparing to hit his approach shot into the 13th green. The ball was above his feet at like a 30 degree angle, and the wind was gusting and rain was falling. He grounded his club behind the ball and prepared to take his stance. As he was working through his routine, the ball moved 1-2 inches. He attributed the move to the elements...the rules guys ended up giving him a 1-stroke penalty.

What was interesting about the whole deal was that Verplank sat there arguing (which is really too strong a word) with the rules official, and he ended up playing 2 balls into the green. The final decision on the penalty wasn't made until he concluded his round.

What was also interesting was that Rory Sabbatini was his playing partner, and had to sit there for 25 minutes while all of this was going on! Finally, Faldo asks, "Has anybody seen Rory? He's probably on like, hole 16!" It was pretty funny.

[klaymon]

This is the only rule I could find on it. It seems once you address the ball, you are responsible for what happens to it. Had he not been at address, he would have been OK.

According to rule 18-2:

b. Ball Moving After Address
If a player’s ball in play moves after he has addressed it (other
than as a result of a stroke), the player is deemed to have moved
the ball and incurs a penalty of one stroke. The ball must be
replaced, unless the movement of the ball occurs after the
player has begun the stroke or the backward movement of the
club for the stroke and the stroke is made.

[Rynofskie]

Yeah, I'm sure that sucked for him. I would be pissed if I didn't touch the ball and it moved of no fault of my own.

[N.V.M.]

the rule is clear. obviously he didn't cause the ball to move,but he was at address. no, it doesn't make sense,considering it was on the fairway with an approach shot to go,and it was only an inch.

[FIJIGolf23]

It's a tough call. Verplank was very adamant that he did not cause the ball to move. He hadn't fully addressed the ball, but he had soled the club behind the ball. With golf being a game of honor and integrity I would have to agree with Verplank that he was not the cause of the ball moving. With him being a professional, I have to honor his word in this case.

But, again, it is a tough call to make.

[redi630]

According to rule 18-2:

I voted "yes" since it looks like this is the rule.

I also vote "yes" that this is the dumbest rule in golf. If the ball moves because of a 30 mile an hour wind, why should you be penalized? Who cares if you have addressed the ball or not.

[tinman115]

I voted "yes" as well. Unfortunately for Verplank, that is the rule. He did get shafted but the rule was written that to avoid judgement calls. Most, if not all, of the rules in golf are written to minimize the effect the rules officials have on the game, unlike other sports where referees can have an impact on the final outcome.
I'm sure there are plenty of times when it is debatable whether or not the player caused the ball to move. Rule 18-2 does a good job a drawing a fine line between what is a penalty and what isn't

[gogolfing]

Yes, that is the rule, however, on The Golf Channel last night, Frank Nobillo pointed out that it only applies to when you have taken your full stance to the ball in addressing it. So, if you put your club behind the ball as part of aiming, but have not addressed the ball in a position to hit it, then it should not be a penalty (this according to Nobillo).

With no video of it, I can't say if he was shafted or not, however, Verplank seems like a straight up guy, and he was strong in his belief that he did nothing worthy of being penalized.

[teal]

I am a golf noob and really only play for my own enjoyment.

I guess the question then becomes - just what EXACTLY is addressing the ball. Do you only have to ground your club to be considered at address? Or do you have to be in a swing ready position, that is feet shoulder width apart - eyes over the ball type of thing?

[lamebums]

I voted "yes" since it looks like this is the rule.

I hate this rule, too. Just like every golfer with an ounce of sanity in his head hates stroke and distance penalties. But unfortunately rules are rules.

I like to believe golf is a game of honor, too, but how honorable are these guys going to be when they are chasing seven digit figures? We'll never know for sure because we can't read minds.

[Shindig]

I hate this rule, too. Just like every golfer with an ounce of sanity in his head hates stroke and distance penalties. But unfortunately rules are rules.

I'm inclined to believe the Verplank believed he wasn't at address and to give him the benefit of the doubt. But that having been said, I agree with the first paragraph entirely. Maybe this will cause the rule to be re-evaluated next time.

It's much the opposite of Palmer "not" grounding his club in the sand at the '68 Masters.

[neudi]

He's a professional player he should have known that in a huge gusting wind like yesterday you should not ground your club for that very reason, this is the same scenario as when putting on the green, but you just don't see it as much.

[Crafty]

Verplank got hosed but it is a penalty nevertheless. He put himself in jeopardy by putting his club down. So at that point it doesnt really matter wether he made the ball move or the wind did.

[iacas]

It's a tough call.

Actually, it's a very easy call. Penalty.

He hadn't fully addressed the ball, but he had soled the club behind the ball.

Look up the definition of "address"ing the ball. You can't partly address the ball - you either do or you don't. Have or have not.

Many pros who have been around as long as Scott has would know not to sole the club behind the ball in case it might move. You can make a stroke at the ball without having technically addressed it. Many pros will do that in the rough so the ball doesn't shift a little from the club moving some grass.

[TD22057]

Some of you may want to revote...

From: http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/bo...ons/dec18.html

18-2b/4 Ball Moves After Player Grounds Club But Before Stance Completed Q. A player’s routine prior to making a stroke is as follows: He first grounds the club directly behind the ball with his feet together. Then he gradually widens his feet to shoulder width. At that point, he makes the stroke. If the ball moves after he grounds the club but before he widens his stance to shoulder width, does he incur a penalty stroke under Rule 18-2b (Ball Moving After Address)? A. No. A player has not addressed the ball until he completes taking his stance, i.e., his feet are essentially in the position in which he normally places them when making a stroke. However, if the ball moved after the club was grounded but before the player had completed taking his stance, he incurs a penalty stroke under Rule 18-2a for having caused the ball to move and must replace the ball, unless there is strong evidence that wind or some other agency caused the ball to move. (Revised)

[FIJIGolf23]

Actually, it's a very easy call. Penalty.

I guess so.

My problem is that he was very adamant that he was not the cause of the ball moving. Golf is a gme of honor and tradition. I have no doubt that he would have called it upon himself had he felt he was the reason the ball moved. It just seems that there are a lot of gray areas within the Rules of Golf. He hadn't not completely taken his stance. Period. He sat his club down behind the ball, much like every golfer does. Then, he stepped away from the ball and came back to play his shot and noticed the ball had moved. Could you make the argument that he was the cause of the ball to move? Yes. Could you also make the argument that he hadn't in fact addressed the ball and the weather conditions caused the ball to move? Yes.

Many pros will do that in the rough so the ball doesn't shift a little from the club moving some grass.

I know this. I do this to prevent the ball from moving. That is a little different scenario than being in the middle of the fairway that has a 30* slope with wind gusts of up to 40+ mph and it raining sideways.