Golf Forums - Clarification of rule 22-2 please

My question is: Do the balls need to be close together?

The situation arose when player A wanted to use a putter from off the green.  Player B's ball was also off the green but on the line of player A's intended shot.  However, there was distance of 5 metres or so between the balls. 

Here is the rule taken from http://www.randa.org/Rules-of-Golf:

Except when a ball is in motion, if a player considers that another ball might interfere with his play, he may have it lifted.

A ball lifted under this Rule must be replaced (see Rule 20-3). The ball must not be cleaned, unless it lies on the putting green
(see Rule 21).

In stroke play, a player required to lift his ball may play first rather than lift the ball.

Note 1: Except on the putting green
, a player may not lift his ball solely because he considers that it might interfere with the play of another player. If a player lifts his ball without being asked to do so, he incurs a penalty of one stroke for a breach of Rule 18-2, but there is no additional penalty under Rule 22.

Note 2: When another ball is in motion, a ball that might influence the movement of the ball in motion must not be lifted.

Pete

"However, there was distance of 5 metres or so between the balls."

I mostly agree. I think the putting green "exception" means that, with regard to this rule, you cannot use rule 22-2 to pick up your ball, except for your ball being on the putting green.  You are fine to pick up on the green regardless. Crazy English language.

I suppose this differs when preferred lies are in operation. Sometimes I think asking your opponent to mark their ball is a confidence thing. Also with slow play being a factor. I can think of players who would refuse to mark their ball in competition if they deemed their ball not to be interfering with your line into the pin. Gamesmanship starts to come into play. The rules of golf are so open to interpretation, again I think you need to consider is my line really effected by my opponents ball. If you ask them to mark it, then accuse them of cleaning it and call a foul all hell might let lose! :)

Actual situation: No preferred lies. Player A asks player B to move ball because it is in line with his shot.  Both balls are off the green.  Player B duly obliges and is careful not to clean ball. Player C informs players A and B that the rules of golf forbid this. Hence the seeking of clarification. Seems to me that A and B were ok.

 Load the R&A app onto your smartphone, it will download the whole package and update as and when required and does not need internet connection to be viewed once on there. Instant upto date rules.

 FYI:

There is a book which is about 8cm thick which explains the Rules In plain English, ie crystal clear.  Every Golf Club  has one I assume........so you should find you answer Pete.

Makes nice reading.......


Happy reading 



Brigitte

Hi Pete I would be very careful in competition of marking my ball off the green. If I was asked to do so I would check with an official if available. I incurred a two shot penalty for moving a marker in a match once when I was asked to move it two clubs widths from a line on a green, I replaced the marker but was accused of not remarking the said marker exactly, it was upheld back at the club house, my partner & I lost by one shot. I did not buy the accusers a drink afterwards understandably. In social golf a agreement between friendly players can't be challenged but in medals, majors etc. Stick with what the rules says in your understanding. I carry two rule books with me to every event, the RA pocket book and the RA disabled golf rules just in case I am challenged and I have on many occasions! Why do we love this game so??

Thanks all for your contributions. It seems to me that the rule is clear and that distance between balls is not an issue. R&A rules are now on my phone.