Is there such a thing as a "dead ball"?

[cliveb]

Was recently playing in a Stableford. Player A had just missed his putt for 1 point, so had blobbed but had not yet picked his ball up. Player B was about to putt, and remarked that it wouldn't matter if he hit player A's ball because it was now a "dead ball". (Just to clarify: both balls are on the green). This all sounds somewhat fishy to me, but wanted to get a ruling from the experts here.

 

[Colin L]

Player A's ball is in play until he lifts it or holes it.

 

[cliveb]

Player A's ball is in play until he lifts it or holes it.

Thanks - that confirms what I thought, but I wanted to be sure

 

[backwoodsman]

Wot Colin says...

If player B quibbles, just show them the definition of "ball in play". There's no mention of a dead ball - it's either in play or it's not and the definition quite clearly sets out when a ball is and isn't.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Was recently playing in a Stableford. Player A had just missed his putt for 1 point, so had blobbed but had not yet picked his ball up. Player B was about to putt, and remarked that it wouldn't matter if he hit player A's ball because it was now a "dead ball". (Just to clarify: both balls are on the green). This all sounds somewhat fishy to me, but wanted to get a ruling from the experts here.

Blimey - where do folks get their 'rules' from. Would be funny if it weren't...