Simpler Rules: Rule 15

Revised Definition

Regular readers will be aware that there has been some discussion about the best way to frame the ‘stroke and distance’ provision to bring more objectivity into the requirements. 

As it stands at present the ‘stroke and distance' procedure is specified in Rule 27-1 and states that ‘a player may … play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played’.  Reference to Rule 20-5 implies that the ball must be dropped through the green and in a hazard, placed on the green, and may be teed on the teeing ground. This procedure is adopted in several Rules (5, 10, 19, 26, 28). 

And yet in Rule 15-3 the current requirement is that the ball be placed on the spot from which the wrong ball was first played. 

I have the following objections to these provisions:

1.  The concept of ‘as nearly as possible’ is too vague and subjective.  What makes a particular place ‘not possible’, for instance?

2.  The idea that if a player’s ball is wrongly played by an opponent or fellow-competitor he must place a ball on the spot from which his ball was played is inherently inequitable. For a player to have an excellent lie and then be required to play from  a divot does not seem to me to be a reasonable way to proceed;  and

3.  There should be consistent treatment of all situations where a ball is to be played from the point from where it was last played.

In framing a revised definition for ‘stroke and distance’ the twin (and sometimes opposing) issues of ‘objectivity’ and ‘simplicity’ need to be addressed.  The requirement for ‘consistency’ is self-evident. 

While the proposal for an objective dropping distance of one clublength has appeal because it is a measure used throughout the current Rules, it carries with it, in my view, the need to place restrictions upon the ‘part’ of the course from which the ball should be played. This leads to undesirable complications: see previous discussion on this point and the definition proposed on 24 April. 

On the other hand the restrictive nature of one clubhead, while overcoming the issue of complexity introduces a measure that is not familiar within the context of the current Rules. 

As described in ‘Where to Take Relief’ (6 February 2013), it would, in my view, be much more appropriate if ‘in every instance where relief is to be taken the ball were to be placed at the nearest point, not nearer the hole, which provides complete relief for lie, stance and swing from the interfering condition, in accordance with relief entitlement relevant to that condition?’ 

Hence I now propose that this principle be applied to ‘Stroke and Distance’ as follows: 

Stroke and Distance

At any time permitted or required by the rules (other than when a ball has been played from the tee) a player must place and play a ball at the nearest point, not nearer to the hole, to the position (or estimated position) from which the original ball was played which avoids damage to the lie created by the playing of that ball.  

If the ball was originally played from the tee, a ball may be played from anywhere on the tee and may be re-teed. 

Except where otherwise provided in the Rules, this incurs a ‘stroke and distance penalty’. That is, the stroke so played counts and an additional penalty of one stroke applies.

This provision would be applied to all circumstances in which the principle of S&D is relevant.

ooOoo

Revised 06/05/13 (to overcome problem identified by Anonymous)

Rule 15: Substituted Ball; Wrong Ball 

15-1. General

A player must hole-out with the ball played from the tee, unless the ball is lost or out of bounds or the player substitutes another ball, whether or not substitution is permitted (see Rule 15-2).  

If a player plays a wrong ball, see Rule 15-3.

15-2. Substituted Ball

A player may substitute a ball when proceeding under a Rule that permits the player to play or place another ball in completing the play of a hole. The substituted ball becomes the ball in play.

If a player substitutes a ball when not permitted to do so, that ball is not a wrong ball; it becomes the ball in play. If the mistake is not corrected as provided in Rule 20-6 and the player makes a stroke at a wrongly substituted ball, he loses the hole in match play or incurs a penalty of two strokes in stroke play and, in stroke play, must play out the hole with the substituted ball. 

Exception: If a player incurs a penalty for making a stroke from a wrong place, there is no additional penalty for substituting a ball when not permitted. 

(Playing from wrong place – see Rule 20-7)

15-3. Wrong Ball

a. Match Play

If a player makes a stroke at a wrong ball, he loses the hole. 

If the wrong ball belongs to another player, its owner must place and play a ball at the nearest point, not nearer the hole, to the position (or estimated position) from which the original ball was played which avoids damage to the lie created by the playing of that ball.

If the player and opponent exchange balls during the play of a hole, the first to make a stroke at a wrong ball loses the hole; when this cannot be determined, the hole must be played out with the balls exchanged. 

Exception: There is no penalty if a player makes a stroke at a wrong ball that is moving in water in a water hazard and any such strokes do not count in the player’s score. The player must correct his mistake by playing the correct ball or by proceeding under the Rules.

(Placing and Replacing – see Rule 20-3) 

b. Stroke Play

If a competitor makes a stroke or strokes at a wrong ball, he incurs a penalty of two strokes. 

The competitor must correct his mistake by playing the correct ball or by proceeding under the Rules.  

If he fails to correct his mistake before making a stroke on the next tee or, in the case of the last hole of the round, fails to declare his intention to correct his mistake before leaving the putting green, he is disqualified from the competition. 

In par and Stableford competition, the player is disqualified from the hole at which the breach occurred. 

If the wrong ball belongs to another player, its owner must place and play a ball at the nearest point, not nearer the hole, to the position (or estimated position) from which the original ball was played which avoids damage to the lie created by the playing of that ball.

Exception: There is no penalty if a player makes a stroke at a wrong ball that is moving in water in a water hazard and any such strokes do not count in the player’s score. The player must correct his mistake by playing the correct ball or by proceeding under the Rules. 

(Placing and Replacing – see Rule 20-3)