Rules Center Replaced Ball Won’t Stay Put Ball Moving Media Frenzy

from The Metropolitan Vol 10, No 2 (April 2023)

Sup’s On: The State of the Mowers Address

Being a Master of the game is why it is called The Masters. Mastering the game also means mastering the Rules, which can be a daunting task when the whole world is watching. Collin Morikawa got a taste of that following his first round at The Masters this year.

During the live broadcast, the feed switched from one hole to the sixth green where the world witnessed Collin Morikawa in up close, HD, moving his ball a noticable distance from where his marker was lying on the ground(shown in picture). Instantly, the viewers watching at home on their 60” flatscreens took to the internet screaming about what appeared to be a blatant violation of the Rules of Golf. Not helping the cause of immediate questioning by viewers, was the fact that the commentators themselves were dumbfounded by what was transpiring on the screen. Clearly having received no communications on the scene at hand, they commented on how it appeared Morikawa was moving his ball and then remarking it without any rhyme or reason, therefore breaking the rules.

The caveat here: we as the viewers were not shown the entire clip of events. It turns out, Collin’s ball had moved from its original spot via natural forces. What we saw, was the aftermath of him following procedure to replace the ball to its original spot which had been previously marked. The marker on the ground was there for no other reason than he had taken it out of his pocket ready to be used. Off camera, he had already consulted with his playing partners, and cleared his actions to move his ball. Morikawa was in fact following the rules (Rule 13.1d to be exact), not breaking them.

Luckily for most of us, we do not have hundreds of cameras pointing at us and streaming to the world our every move. But there’s still a lesson in this: inform the people around you why and what you are about to do before moving your ball. Save everyone the trouble of questioning your integrity by just discussing it beforehand. So, what is the proper procedure when your ball moves similarly to this?

John explains what to do when your ball moves on the putting green:

Dear John: I was playing the par-4 17th hole at Porto Cima on Thursday. It had rained earlier and the greens were damp and soft. My approach shot from across the cove plugged on the green (see circled ball at top of green, just right of the flagstick). I marked the spot, lifted and cleaned the ball, fixed the ball mark, and replaced the ball several times, but it wouldn’t stay put on the slope. Not knowing what else to do, I placed the ball on the repaired ball mark and let it roll 20 feet down the slope, much closer to the hole (see circled ball on right side of photo). I played the ball from its new resting place and did not take any penalty strokes. Did I follow the rules on this?

- Frustrated

Dear Frustrated: Not exactly. Once a player marks and lifts their ball on the putting green, the ball “owns” the spot. That is, if the player marks, lifts, maybe cleans, and replaces their ball on the putting green, and gravity or a breeze subsequently moves the ball (known or virtually certain), the player must return it to that spot, not play the ball from where it came to rest (Rule 13.1d(2) and Exception 1 to Rule 9.3).

“If the ball does not stay on that spot, the player must replace the ball by placing it on the nearest spot where the ball will stay at rest (Rule 14.2e).” The ball must be placed no nearer the hole. The nearest spot must be on the putting green, or, if the ball won’t stay at rest on the putting green, in the general area (i.e. place, not drop, the ball on the apron or in the rough). Repeated placements may be required to find a spot where the ball will ultimately stay at rest, and the eventual spot may be inches or even feet from the original spot.

So, what happens if, after trying to replace the ball twice, it rolls away, and the player plays it from its new resting place?

Answer: Nothing good. He or she is playing from a wrong place (two-stroke penalty in stroke play; loss of hole in match play; Rule 14.7a). Further, a serious breach may be involved (Rule 14.7b). That is, if the ball rolled much closer to the hole, the player may have gained a significant advantage (an easier putt). A serious breach must be corrected - the player must go back and replace/replay the ball properly (see above) and finish the hole. That is, disregard any strokes made from the new position, keep the two-stroke penalty for playing from a wrong place, and complete the hole from the correct spot. The player is disqualified if he or she fails to correct a serious breach before making a stroke from the next teeing area, or in the case of the last hole of the round, before returning their scorecard. The player must also report play of a second ball related to a serious breach to the Committee; otherwise, he or she is disqualified (Rule 14.7b). Yes,

To clarify, the ball does not “own” the spot on the putting green if the player:

• Has not yet marked and lifted the ball, or

• Has only marked the ball

The ball must be played from its new position if it is known or virtually certain that natural forces (wind, water, gravity) subsequently moved the ball (Rule 13.1d(2) and Rule 9.3).

The ball does “own” the spot on the putting green after the ball is:

• Marked, picked up (lifted, Rule 14.1) and replaced

• Placed after taking relief (e.g., temporary water, mole run, strokeand-distance) on the putting green (Clarification 13.1d(2)/1)

• Marked and rotated in place (lifted, Rule 14.1) for alignment

• Moved other than by natural forces and replaced (e.g, another player opponent marks, lifts, and replaces the ball on the putting green)

The ball must be replaced and played from its original spot (estimated if unknown) no matter what caused the ball to move (Rule 13.1d(2) and Exception 1 t o Rule 9.3).

Each Season, we rely on our volunteers to help keep things running smoothly. We always welcome new volunteers. There are multiple ways you can help out whether it be at championsips or course ratings. You do not have to be an expert starting out; we will help guide you when you first begin. Reach out for more information if interested.