Another rules question for you

[bobmac]

With the dry weather we have had so far this year, lots of courses are starting to suffer from hard, bare greens with little grass growth.
Couple this with the windy conditions, it doesn't take a lot for a ball to be blown around on a green.
Now I'm sure we all know that it's a penalty if you address the ball on the green and it subsequently moves off its spot.
So, my question is...

When have you officially addressed the ball?

 

[Twire]

When you ground the putter behind the ball. If it's windy enough to move the ball, it's best to hover behind the ball as this is not addressing the ball.

 

[full_throttle]

IMO, when you place your putter behind the ball with the 'intention of' making a stroke

 

[Aztecs27]

When you ground the putter behind the ball. If it's windy enough to move the ball, it's best to hover behind the ball as this is not addressing the ball.

Not according to the R&A Rules Explorer thing (I don't think).

 

[bobmac]

I thought the same too but
Nope
Almost

 

[Aztecs27]

A player has not addressed the ball until he completes taking his stance, i.e. his feet are essentially in the position in which he normally places them when making a stroke.

 

[bobmac]

A player has not addressed the ball until he completes taking his stance, i.e. his feet are essentially in the position in which he normally places them when making a stroke.

Tick
VG

 

[0]

http://shop.randa.org/index.cfm?action=p...tid=&free=1

 

[Aztecs27]

A player has not addressed the ball until he completes taking his stance, i.e. his feet are essentially in the position in which he normally places them when making a stroke.

Tick
VG

However, if the ball moved after the club was grounded but before the player had completed taking his stance, he incurs a penalty stroke under Rule 18-2a for having caused the ball to move and must replace the ball, unless there is strong evidence that wind or some other agency caused the ball to move.

Stupid game

The rules of golf make me want to cry myself to sleep in the corner of my room.

 

[bobmac]

http://shop.randa.org/index.cfm?action=p...tid=&free=1

Yes, we know about that. I was just curious if people knew without looking it up first.

 

[Aztecs27]

http://shop.randa.org/index.cfm?action=p...tid=&free=1

Yes, we know about that. I was just curious if people knew without looking it up first.

I looked it up to check, but was (fairly) sure...Then I saw that bottom bit. Which confuses matters.

 

[0]

A player has not addressed the ball until he completes taking his stance, i.e. his feet are essentially in the position in which he normally places them when making a stroke.

Tick
VG

however, most players place their feet THEN move the club into position, if the ball moved then surely they havent addressed the ball? I've seen tour pros hover their club well above the ball as they thought the wind might move it and by hovering they were not addressing the ball.

 

[bobmac]

However, if the ball moved after the club was grounded but before the player had completed taking his stance, he incurs a penalty stroke under Rule 18-2a for having caused the ball to move and must replace the ball

Sorry, where do you see that?

 

[MashieNiblick]

A player has not addressed the ball until he completes taking his stance, i.e. his feet are essentially in the position in which he normally places them when making a stroke.

Tick
VG

however, most players place their feet THEN move the club into position, if the ball moved then surely they haven't addressed the ball? I've seen tour pros hover their club well above the ball as they thought the wind might move it and by hovering they were not addressing the ball.

I'm confused now. Not sure if Aztecs answer is a verbatim quote but according to the Definitions in the Rules

"A player has "addressed the ball" when he has taken his stance and has also grounded his club, except that in a hazard a player has addressed the ball when he has taken his stance."

Which is what I thought, 2 elements - place feet and ground club, except in hazard. So I think I'm with Nikonuser on this.

 

[Twire]

Looks like you've opened a can of worms Bob

I've also seen tour pro's hovering their putter so as not to incur a penalty before putting...hence my answer.

 

[Aztecs27]

Both my posts are direct quotes from the R&A Rules Explorer thing.

 

[bobmac]

Dont think so.
If the player grounds his putter behind the ball and the ball moves before he has taken his stance, no penalty

 

[StrangelyBrown]

When you ground the putter behind the ball. If it's windy enough to move the ball, it's best to hover behind the ball as this is not addressing the ball.

^

This was my understanding of the rule.

 

[bobmac]

Dont think so.
If the player grounds his putter behind the ball and the ball moves before he has taken his stance, no penalty

But it then goes on to say you are penalised

 

[Aztecs27]

That's what the rules finder said...That's why I'm just about having a nervous breakdown!