Accidentally stood on my ball

[SteveW86]

Oh there's rules are there? Cheers I never realised.

I just like to find out why a particular rule is the way it is, that's all. I have an inquisitive mind. A penalty for accidentally standing on your own ball and trampling it into the mud just sounds hilarious as I couldn't process why anyone would want to do that. @Lord Tyrion gave me the best answer though instead of partaking in the usual pile-on.

I don’t personally think there is a problem with questioning the rules, some of them are indeed a bit “silly”

I think the issue here is that you aren’t aware of the rules and for someone who has an inquisitive mind it seems a bit strange that you haven’t had a read through them if you are playing competitive golf.

 

[Orikoru]

Yep you have show that consistently



Because the governing body of the sport have decided it’s a rule - the same with every sport when rules are decided



Surely “accidental” means that someone didn’t mean it ?

And when someone moves their ball with their feet there is a chance that someone could end up improving their lie

But the worrying thing is you are playing comps etc and been playing a while yet appear to have a lack of concept of the rules

Hence why I provided the link to the rules and suggest going through them before playing comps again

Keep flogging that horse if you like but the number of golfers I've ever played with who knew every single rule in the book has to be less than 10%. I just thought this one was funny because the chance of improving your lie by standing directly on top of it have to be slim to none. ? There's a big difference between that and kicking it.

 

[Orikoru]

I don’t personally think there is a problem with questioning the rules, some of them are indeed a bit “silly”

I think the issue here is that you aren’t aware of the rules and for someone who has an inquisitive mind it seems a bit strange that you haven’t had a read through them if you are playing competitive golf.

You seen how many there are? I typically learn as I go when it crops up. As yet I've managed to avoid accidentally standing on top of my ball, haha.

 

[Leftitshort]

You seen how many there are? I typically learn as I go when it crops up. As yet I've managed to avoid accidentally standing on top of my ball, haha.

Nothing wrong with learning as you go, it’s what most of us do. I don’t profess to knowing all of them verbatim but I’m good with the framework. Between me and playing partners we get it right.
What is a concern is the feeling that you may choose to disregard some rules because the aren’t common sense. The OOB thread and this one, where the feeling is no advantage is gained, are a concern IMO

 

[Captainron]

You seen how many there are? I typically learn as I go when it crops up. As yet I've managed to avoid accidentally standing on top of my ball, haha.

Getting a firm grip on the rules is a major part of playing the game.

Worst case scenario is that you are labelled a cheat due to negligence. That can ruin the game for you moving forward and claiming ignorance won’t be a defence.

The R&A has a handy app which has a “players edition” of the rules and this makes it easier to learn. Well worth the time to go through it.

 

[Orikoru]

Nothing wrong with learning as you go, it’s what most of us do. I don’t profess to knowing all of them verbatim but I’m good with the framework. Between me and playing partners we get it right.
What is a concern is the feeling that you may choose to disregard some rules because the aren’t common sense. The OOB thread and this one, where the feeling is no advantage is gained, are a concern IMO

I just find it fun to laugh at some of the more bizarre rules in the game. Rest assured I don't procede blindly on the course with rules I'm unsure of, I generally check with everyone I'm playing with, and if we're stumped I can check it on the app.

 

[rulefan]

You seen how many there are? I typically learn as I go when it crops up. As yet I've managed to avoid accidentally standing on top of my ball, haha.

Was that how you learnt how to play Snakes and Ladders or Chess?

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Keep flogging that horse if you like but the number of golfers I've ever played with who knew every single rule in the book has to be less than 10%. I just thought this one was funny because the chance of improving your lie by standing directly on top of it have to be slim to none. ? There's a big difference between that and kicking it.

It’s not about knowing every single rule - it’s about knowing the majority of the basic rules

You have this idea that your common sense should be the overriding arbitrary way to play the game. It’s clearly not the case

There are always obscure rules in the sport that some won’t know but the majority know something like kicking your own ball and clearly how OOB works - two recent rules that you have failed to understand or know - that imo is worrying for people who play in your comps

 

[Deleted member 23270]

Keep flogging that horse if you like but the number of golfers I've ever played with who knew every single rule in the book has to be less than 10%. I just thought this one was funny because the chance of improving your lie by standing directly on top of it have to be slim to none. ? There's a big difference between that and kicking it.

To be on the safe side, ANY movement of your ball you should check the rules app until you are familiar with all the different scenarios

 

[jim8flog]

And do not forget it must be replaced in it's original position just a single shot penalty if you do and a 2 shot penalty if you do not.

 

[chrisd]

I just find it fun to laugh at some of the more bizarre rules in the game. Rest assured I don't procede blindly on the course with rules I'm unsure of, I generally check with everyone I'm playing with, and if we're stumped I can check it on the app.

And if you cant find the answer?

Almost always, if you cause your ball to move, its a penalty - but not always, it would pay you to know the rule as it can work in your favour

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Oh there's rules are there? Cheers I never realised.

I just like to find out why a particular rule is the way it is, that's all. I have an inquisitive mind. A penalty for accidentally standing on your own ball and trampling it into the mud just sounds hilarious as I couldn't process why anyone would want to do that. @Lord Tyrion gave me the best answer though instead of partaking in the usual pile-on.

I'd say that the reason for the rule is clear - there are unfortunately too many unscrupulous folks about who think nothing of cheating or fraud - and some of them play golf...and any rule that gives carte blanche to such an individual 'accidentally' moving his ball (using his leather wedge) will be exploited. And so the rule is in place to prevent that. Unfortunate for the careless one who trods his ball into the turf - but we just have to be careful.

 

[Foxholer]

I just find it fun to laugh at some of the more bizarre rules in the game. Rest assured I don't procede blindly on the course with rules I'm unsure of, I generally check with everyone I'm playing with, and if we're stumped I can check it on the app.

Kindly id a few of the 'bizarre' ones you've encountered. Personally, I find them pretty logical.

 

[chellie]

I like this book and have it in my bag: Golf Rules Quick Reference 2019: A practical guide for use on the course - for stroke play and match play

 

[Troymcclure]

What happens to the ball? Presumably nothing and it’s deemed to be still “in its original position” if it’s 1.68 inches lower than it was, in the soggy rough? ? So a penalty and an unplayable drop? Harsh.

 

[Blue in Munich]

You seen how many there are? I typically learn as I go when it crops up. As yet I've managed to avoid accidentally standing on top of my ball, haha.

Only 34 of them; there's 307 in the Highway Code, I wouldn't take up driving if 34's too many. Oh, hang on...

 

[Colin L]

What happens to the ball? Presumably nothing and it’s deemed to be still “in its original position” if it’s 1.68 inches lower than it was, in the soggy rough? ? So a penalty and an unplayable drop? Harsh.

That's not what happens. If the ball were still in its original position it wouldn't have moved and wouldn't be 1.68 inches lower than it was.
It has to be replaced, but the original lie has been altered and you have to place your ball on the nearest lie within a club length equivalent to the original. One stroke penalty.

 

[backwoodsman]

Oh there's rules are there? Cheers I never realised.

I just like to find out why a particular rule is the way it is, that's all. I have an inquisitive mind. A penalty for accidentally standing on your own ball and trampling it into the mud just sounds hilarious as I couldn't process why anyone would want to do that. Lord Tyrion gave me the best answer though instead of partaking in the usual pile-on.

Fair enough. Personally I liked Colin's - fundamental principle of the game is that you only move the ball with a club. So there's a penalty so that you don't move it with anything else.

 

[rulefan]

Only 34 of them; there's 307 in the Highway Code, I wouldn't take up driving if 34's too many. Oh, hang on...

Actually 24 now

 

[Colin L]

Fair enough. Personally I liked Colin's - fundamental principle of the game is that you only move the ball with a club. So there's a penalty so that you don't move it with anything else.

Not exactly "my" principle It's the very first statement in the Rules;

RULE 1.1
Golf is played in a round of 18 (or fewer) holes on a course by striking a ball with a club.

The Rules allow you sometimes to move your ball to play from a different spot or to return it to the same spot. There is a penalty for moving it other than with by a stroke with a club when the rules don't allow it. The penalty is intended to compensate for the any potential gain, not necessarily an actual gain (which is what Orikuro is misunderstanding). Accidental movement such as kicking or standing on the ball is penalised with one stroke which indicates that it's not considered to be likely to lead to a significant gain if it went uncorrected. Where there is a more significant potential gain, the penalty is two strokes or loss of hole.