Player A’s ball is on the putting green about 20 feet from the hole. She putts and as the ball rolls toward a ball-marker on her line of play, Player B picks up the ball marker. Is there a penalty and if so, who gets it?Rule 15.3c allows a ball-marker that interferes with play to be moved, the Exception in Rule 11.3 prohibits deliberately moving a ball-marker to affect where that ball in motion might come to rest.
There is a penalty of two strokes for a breach of Rule 11.3. (See Clarification 11.3/1). The penalty would be applied to the player who moved the ball-marker, in this case, Player B.
Interestingly, while a ball is in motion another ball (unlike a ball-marker) on the putting green may be marked and lifted with no penalty incurred.
|
