You’re on the 18th hole, and you need to birdie to win the tournament. You hit a great drive, but your next shot goes into the water. You take a drop, and then you realize that your ball is in a divot. Can you fix the divot before you hit your next shot?
The answer is no. According to Rule 12.2a, you are not allowed to touch your ball once you have picked up your mark. This rule is in place to prevent players from improving their lie.
If you fix the divot before hitting your next shot, you will incur a one-stroke penalty. This penalty can be costly, and it could cost you the tournament.
So, next time you’re in a similar situation, remember: don’t touch your ball after picking up your mark.
Rules Clarification: Handling the Ball After Picking Up Marker
The Rules of Golf state that a player is not allowed to touch their ball after it has been picked up. This rule is in place to prevent players from unfairly improving their lie or position on the course. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule.
Exception 1: Replaced Ball
If a player’s ball is picked up and replaced by another player, the player is allowed to touch the ball to identify it. The player must then replace the ball in its original location.
Exception 2: Marked Ball
If a player’s ball is marked and lifted, the player is allowed to touch the ball to clean it. The player must then replace the ball in its original location.
Exception 3: Ball in Hazard
If a player’s ball is in a hazard, the player is allowed to touch the ball to remove it from the hazard. The player must then drop the ball outside of the hazard, no closer to the hole.
Penalty for Touching Ball After Picking Up Marker
If a player touches their ball after it has been picked up and does not meet one of the exceptions, the player will receive a one-stroke penalty.
| Exception | Reason |
|—|—|
| Replaced Ball | To identify the ball |
| Marked Ball | To clean the ball |
| Ball in Hazard | To remove the ball from the hazard |
Additional Information
There is no penalty for picking up your ball without marking it first. However, it is good practice to mark your ball before picking it up, as it can help to prevent any disputes about the ball’s original location.
Mitigating Penalty Risk During Mark Adjustment
Moving a ball marker is an inevitable part of golf, but doing so without attracting a penalty requires careful attention to detail. Any movement of the ball or its marker must be intentional and not accidental, or the player will incur a one-stroke penalty.
To avoid this penalty, players must ensure that when adjusting their mark, they maintain control of the ball and marker at all times. This means using a smooth hand motion to lift and reposition them, taking care not to inadvertently knock them into a different spot.
If lifting the marker causes the ball to move, the player must replace the ball to its original position before placing the marker. This is essential, as any adjustment that changes the ball’s location will result in a penalty.
To minimize the risk of penalty, players should consider using a larger marker or placing it on a stable surface such as a tee or a flat piece of cardboard. This will help ensure that the marker does not move unintentionally when adjusted.
Interpretation of Rule 10.2b: Permissible Touching
Are you allowed to touch your ball after picking up your mark?
Yes, you are allowed to touch your ball after picking up your mark, but only if you do not improve its lie. You may gently lift the ball to clean it or mark its position better. However, once you have lifted the ball, you cannot place the ball back in a different spot. If you do, you will incur a one-stroke penalty.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind when touching your ball:
You must replace the ball on the exact spot from where you picked it up.
You cannot brush away loose impediments from around the ball before replacing it.
* If you accidentally move the ball while picking up your mark, you must replace the ball in its original position.
If you are unsure whether or not your actions have improved the lie of the ball, you should always err on the side of caution and replace the ball in its original spot.
Table: Permissible Touching of Ball After Picking Up Mark| Action | Permissible? |
|—|—|—|
| Gently lifting the ball to clean it | Yes |
| Marking the ball’s position better | Yes |
| Replacing the ball on the exact spot from where it was picked up | Yes |
| Brushing away loose impediments from around the ball before replacing it | No |
| Moving the ball while picking up the mark | No, must be replaced in its original position |
Guidance for Players and Officials on Proper Ball Handling Procedure
The Rules of Golf provide clear guidelines for the proper handling of golf balls, both when they are in play and when they are out of bounds. These guidelines are designed to ensure fairness and equity for all players, and to maintain the integrity of the game.
Out of Bounds
If a ball is out of bounds, it must be played from the point where it crossed the out of bounds line. The player may not touch the ball once it is out of bounds, except to identify it or to remove it from a hazard that is part of the out of bounds area.
In Play
Once a ball is in play, it may not be touched by the player until it comes to rest. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule.
In a hazard: A player may touch their ball in a hazard to improve their lie or to remove loose impediments.
To identify it: A player may touch their ball to identify it if it is lying in rough or in a hazard.
* To mark its position: A player may mark the position of their ball if they need to lift it for any reason.
Penalties
If a player touches their ball in violation of the Rules of Golf, they may incur a penalty. The penalty for touching a ball in play is one stroke. The penalty for touching a ball out of bounds is two strokes.
Here is a table summarizing the rules for ball handling:
| Situation | Allowed? | Penalty |
|—|—|—|
| Ball out of bounds | No | Two strokes |
| Ball in a hazard | Yes, to improve lie or remove impediments | None |
| Ball in rough or hazard | Yes, to identify | None |
| Ball in play | No, except to mark its position | One stroke |
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