Golf Forums - What's The Ruling?

Whilst playing today I had something happen to me that hasn't happened before!

I teed my ball up on a pink castle tee.

Took up my address position and started my backswing.

As I was making my downswing I saw the ball fall off the tee!

I couldn't stop my swing by then and I caught the top of the ball as I swung through, it went about 40 yards.

I did nothing to influence the ball, the ground was soft but the tee didn't appear to move but it was windy, so the wind might have pushed the ball off the tee.

So what is the ruling?

Do I play the ball as it lies or am I allowed to play the tee shot again?

I'm assuming that it would be a case of tough luck and play it as it lies but I'll have a look in the rule book later.

Russ

As soon as you start the downswing the ball is deemed to be in play. If the ball had fallen off the tee on your backswing, and you stopped before the downswing, I think you would be able to replace it without penalty. But since you actually hit the ball, I'm afraid you would have to play it where it came to rest, or take 3 off the tee.

I agree with Alan. If the ball is deemed 'in play' it's tough luck on you. I remember a couple of years ago Phil Mickelson called a penalty on himself because he had started his putting stroke (and therefore the ball was 'in play') and the wind moved the ball - harsh or what ! 

I was half way down on my downswing, so no chance of stopping before I reached the ball!

I'll make certain in future that I put my tee in a harder part of the tee box.

Russ