Accidentally lifted marker

[Holey]

An unusual situation arose in our monthly stableford on Sunday. All of our group's balls were on the green, and my playing partner was due to play. My ball was pretty close to his line, so I marked it, and asked if it was ok where it was. He had a look, and said "could you just tap it down a bit", so I reached over with my putter and tapped it down, then walked away. It was only then that I realised that my ball marker had stuck to the bottom of my putter when I had pressed down on it, and I had inadvertently removed it from the ground. I immediately told my playing partners but we couldn't work out what the penalty was, or if there was a penalty at all. Since the next group were waiting behind us, and it was a stableford competition, I decided to 'pick up' and blob the hole (although technically I didn't actually have to pick anything up).

Did I do the right thing? I don't know what I'd have done if it was a medal.

 

[Colin L]

You do not incur a penalty for moving a marker in the process of marking your ball. Replace the marker. See Decision 20-1/6

http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules...on-20/#d20-1-6

If you had moved your marker other than in the process of marking your ball, you should replace it with a 1 stroke penalty.

 

[BTatHome]

Replace the marker as close to the original position (agreed with other players). Job done!