2011 #3 Ball Moved by Equipment

THE SCENE:
Your ball rolls onto the cart path and stops. You know you get free relief from the path because it is an immovable obstruction. So, you drop your ball properly. You are holding several clubs. So, before taking your stance you select your 7 iron and toss your other clubs onto the ground.
Uh-oh! One of your clubs bounces and lands on your ball, causing it to move.


What would you do?
        A.    You hadn't yet taken your stance. So, there is no penalty. You reach out with your club and roll your ball back into place and then play it.
        B.    Your equipment accidentally caused your ball to move. You add a penalty stroke, replace your ball and then play it.

B is correct because even though you hadn’t yet taken your stance, your club did did cause your ball to move.


Look in your Rules of Golf book. Rule #18 says:
RULE #18 BALL AT REST MOVED
18-2. By Player, Partner, Caddie or Equipment
When a player’s ball is in play, if:
the player … causes it to move except as permitted by a Rule,
the player shall incur a penalty stroke… The ball shall be replaced.
(ii)equipment of the player or his partner causes the ball to move,
the player incurs a penalty of one stroke.
If the ball is moved, it must be replaced …
If you fail to replace your ball, you'll be in breech of Rule #18, a maximum 2-stroke penalty.


What this means to you is:
Your ball was at rest.
Your club (your equipment) caused your ball to move.
You incur one penalty stroke.
Your must replace your ball - or incur a 2-stroke penalty.


REMEMBER: If your equipment causes your ball to move, replace it and add a penalty stroke to your score for the hole.