Ball moving off tee

[Colin L]

I understand how that you can be deemed to have caused the movement if the ball moves when you set the club down behind it, but if the ball only starts to move after the stroke has started (and therefore the club isn't near the ball) is it still the case that it's deemed to be caused by the player?

Yes. 18-2b is quite clear. If the ball moves after it has been addressed (other than from a stroke), you are penalised no matter what you do with your club. You could address the ball, remove your club and walk away from the ball and it would make no difference.

 

[backwoodsman]

In the absence of knowledge, or virtual certainty, that it was something else that caused it to move - yes

Wouldn't "knowledge, or virtual certainty" be applicable in cases like this? Ok, in OP he said " a fraction of a second before..." so not in this case. But for the most part, for the majority of the backswing and of the forward stroke, neither the club nor the player is close enough to influence the ball. So wouldn't one be virtually certain most of the time?

 

[duncan mackie]

Wouldn't "knowledge, or virtual certainty" be applicable in cases like this? Ok, in OP he said " a fraction of a second before..." so not in this case. But for the most part, for the majority of the backswing and of the forward stroke, neither the club nor the player is close enough to influence the ball. So wouldn't one be virtually certain most of the time?

not really - you have put your club down behind the ball, and it has subsequently moved when it had previously been happy to remain stationary.

What would you suggest caused the ball to move? Generally you would need to have a pretty good idea what did cause the ball to move - seeing a small lizard scurry away from the ball just as it moved would help!

In this current weather it's not uncommon for a players iron grounded behind the ball to melt frost supporting the ball such that it settles - this would be an example of the player clearly causing it to move without moving it (if that helps).

 

[DappaDonDave]

This is the problem with zero friction tees. No fractions means no grip. I'm surprised we're even able to hold the frictionless beggers