John Rahm

[smfoley]

Do you all feel that Rahm should have been penalized for either the ballmarking issue at the Scottish Open or the twig snapping issue at The Open? 

[saevel25]

10 hours ago, smfoley said:

ballmarking issue at the Scottish Open

This topic has already been created here,

10 hours ago, smfoley said:

the twig snapping issue at The Open? 

If what Rahm says is correct, "It would not have affected my swing unless I hit a 50-yard slice", then there is no penalty.

Quote

13-2. Improving Lie, Area of Intended Stance or Swing, or Line of Play

A player must not improve or allow to be improved:

• the position or lie of his ball,
• the area of his intended stance or swing,
• his line of play or a reasonable extension of that line beyond the hole, or
• the area in which he is to drop or place a ball,

The key word is intended. Which means what the golfer thinks the swing path is, not necessarily what it turns out to be. A golfer could think his swing path will be away from the twig, but it might actually come closer than he thinks when he actually swings.

A golfer could walk close to his intended putting line, but he could actually mishit a putt such that the ball rolled over the area where he did walk. He is not violating 16-1. The line of the putt is the line the golfer wishes the ball to go, not where it necessarily will go.

[smfoley]

7 minutes ago, saevel25 said:

This topic has already been created here,

If what Rahm says is correct, "It would not have affected my swing unless I hit a 50-yard slice", then there is no penalty.

The key word is intended. Which means what the golfer thinks the swing path is, not necessarily what it turns out to be. A golfer could think his swing path will be away from the twig, but it might actually come closer than he thinks when he actually swings.

A golfer could walk close to his intended putting line, but he could actually mishit a putt such that the ball rolled over the area where he did walk. He is not violating 16-1. The line of the putt is the line the golfer wishes the ball to go, not where it necessarily will go.

But was it actually unintentional both of these situations or is he just becoming a really good liar

 

[saevel25]

10 minutes ago, smfoley said:

But was it actually unintentional both of these situations or is he just becoming a really good liar

Well, I rather take his word for it. Unless there is conclusive evidence, like video showing that his swing path actually did travel where that vine branch was, then you can not assume he is lying.

It doesn't matter if a twig breaks or not. As long as you do not do the following there is no penalty.

Quote

13-2. Improving Lie, Area of Intended Stance or Swing, or Line of Play

A player must not improve or allow to be improved:

• the position or lie of his ball,
• the area of his intended stance or swing,
• his line of play or a reasonable extension of that line beyond the hole, or
• the area in which he is to drop or place a ball,