Written by: Darin Green, Senior Director of Rules & Competitions
Learning the Rules of Golf is a very difficult task. If you are determined to learn the Rules, taking multiple-choice test questions is part of the process. Below is a typical open-book test question for you to read and answer.
Question: Brett’s approach shot comes to rest on the putting green. He places a ball-marker behind the ball, but does not lift the ball. While reading the putt from the opposite side of the hole, the ball starts to roll and comes to rest one foot closer to the hole. What is the ruling?
Multiple Choice Answers:
A) Brett has the option to play the ball from the new location or return it to in the front of the ball marker.
B) Brett gets no penalty and must replace the ball to the spot in front of the ball-marker.
C) Brett gets no penalty and must play the ball from its new location.
D) Brett gets a one-stroke penalty and must replace the ball to the spot in front of the ball marker.
Well, what is your answer???
When your ball is on the putting green there are some specific rules that only apply on the putting green. First, there is no penalty for any accidental movement of a ball on the putting green, and additionally, there is no penalty when a ball moves by natural forces (wind, water, or gravity). Since Brett was on the opposite side of the hole when the ball began moving, the ball was clearly moved by natural forces.
Now, where must Brett play his next stroke from? Rule 9.3 Ball Moved by Natural Forces, tells us that when a ball is moved by natural forces there is no penalty and the ball must be played from its new spot. Therefore, Brett must play his ball without penalty from the new spot after the ball rolled one foot closer to the hole.
If you answered C, you are correct.
There is one exception to Rule 9.3 that did not apply in this instance, but almost did. The exception in Rule 9.3 explains that if a ball on the putting green moves after the player had already lifted and replaced the ball, the ball must be replaced on the spot from which it moved. Essentially, a player is saving that spot on the putting green by lifting the ball. If in the original question above, Brett placed a ball-marker behind the ball, lifted the ball and replaced it, and then the ball moves while he is reading the putt, the ball must placed in front of the ball-marker and played from the original spot.
Get out on the course and enjoy this great weather in Florida!
