Lee Westwood wrong ball?

[VVega]

This article is making rounds where they describe Lee playing the ball that his caddy found in a stream, which they thought was his, but on the green he noticed it’s a different make and number.

They then explain how by some model rule the player is not allowed to change the make of the ball during the round.

Pulling his tee shot into the creek, Westwood and his caddie Mick Doran found a golf ball sat in the water and, after Doran fished it out, Westwood played his third shot on to the green.


Finding the putting surface, albeit 35-feet away, the 51-year-old went to mark his golf ball but, continuing the drama, Westwood realised it was a completely different make and model and, consequently, he had violated the Model Local Rule in place for the event.

Surely, if it’s a different ball then the “wrong ball” rule applies and it doesn’t matter what make it was?

The only scenario I can imagine where it is relevant if he teed off with this other ball and hadn’t realised that it was a different ball until the green but the article doesn’t explicitly say so.

Even then, it’s very unusual for pros to have different balls in their bag.

Lee Westwood Involved In Bizarre Rules Incident At LIV Golf Riyadh — Golf Monthly

After being in contention in Riyadh, Westwood made a costly error at the 16th whereby he played the wrong ball after finding it in the creek

apple.news

 

[rulefan]

They then explain how by some model rule the player is not allowed to change the make of the ball during the round.

G-4
This Local Rule is recommended for use only in competitions limited to highly skilled players (that is, professional competitions and elite amateur competitions).

 

[wjemather]

It's not a "wrong ball" as the ball is allowed to be replaced when taking relief.
The rule breached is along the lines of MLR G-4, which, if implemented as per the example in committee procedures, means a one stroke penalty for every hole a different model of ball is played before the mistake is discovered. Starting a hole with that different model after discovering the mistake leads to disqualification.
If the ball Westwood had fished out of the water had been the same model as his original, there would have been no penalty, even if it wasn't actually his ball.

 

[rulefan]

It's not a "wrong ball" as the ball is allowed to be replaced when taking relief.
The rule breached is along the lines of MLR G-4, which, if implemented as per the example in committee procedures, means a one stroke penalty for every hole a different model of ball is played before the mistake is discovered. Starting a hole with that different model after discovering the mistake leads to disqualification.
If the ball Westwood had fished out of the water had been the same model as his original, there would have been no penalty, even if it wasn't actually his ball.

Oops. Typing the adjustment to my original post when you posted.

 

[VVega]

It's not a "wrong ball" as the ball is allowed to be replaced when taking relief.
The rule breached is along the lines of MLR G-4, which, if implemented as per the example in committee procedures, means a one stroke penalty for every hole a different model of ball is played before the mistake is discovered. Starting a hole with that different model after discovering the mistake leads to disqualification.
If the ball Westwood had fished out of the water had been the same model as his original, there would have been no penalty, even if it wasn't actually his ball.

Surely, he was supposed to find and identify his ball first? If I found some random ball and played it or replaced it and then played it is “playing the wrong ball” — what am I missing?

 

[wjemather]

Surely, he was supposed to find and identify his ball first? If I found some random ball and played it or replaced it and then played it is “playing the wrong ball” — what am I missing?

You don't need to find and identify your ball if it's known or virtually certain to be in a penalty area. In Westwood's case there was 100% certainty.

 

[3 jabber]

It's not a "wrong ball" as the ball is allowed to be replaced when taking relief.
The rule breached is along the lines of MLR G-4, which, if implemented as per the example in committee procedures, means a one stroke penalty for every hole a different model of ball is played before the mistake is discovered. Starting a hole with that different model after discovering the mistake leads to disqualification.
If the ball Westwood had fished out of the water had been the same model as his original, there would have been no penalty, even if it wasn't actually his ball.

Understandable and sensible but what I find incredible is that a top pro can make the mistake of not recognising it's a different MODEL of ball Although I guess it's possible if he fished out a 2021 example of a ProV1x when he was playing a 2022 model for example.

 

[VVega]

You don't need to find and identify your ball if it's known or virtually certain to be in a penalty area. In Westwood's case there was 100% certainty.

I’m being picky but why was it 100% certainty? They found some ball in the very narrow stream, so it wasn’t his ball. His ball in fact could have gone further in to the “desert” on a totally different line.



So predicating the drop location on the basis of finding a random ball seems to be wrong?

 

[Imurg]

Obviously not paying him enough if he has to go around fishing for, and using, pick ups......

 

[VVega]

For my future reference, what rule is it for changing the ball when taking a relief? Is it for any situation when a drop is taken, e.g. unplayable, abnormal conditions, lost in the penalty area?

What about when lift and clean on preferred lies? Can also replace the ball then?

 

[wjemather]

I’m being picky but why was it 100% certainty? They found some ball in the very narrow stream, so it wasn’t his ball. His ball in fact could have gone further in to the “desert” on a totally different line.

View attachment 56971

So predicating the drop location on the basis of finding a random ball seems to be wrong?

As far as I know, Westwood's ball was seen to go into the penalty area.

 

[wjemather]

For my future reference, what rule is it for changing the ball when taking a relief? Is it for any situation when a drop is taken, e.g. unplayable, abnormal conditions, lost in the penalty area?

What about when lift and clean on preferred lies? Can also replace the ball then?

Rule 6.3 covers it.

 

[Backache]

I’m being picky but why was it 100% certainty? They found some ball in the very narrow stream, so it wasn’t his ball. His ball in fact could have gone further in to the “desert” on a totally different line.

View attachment 56971

So predicating the drop location on the basis of finding a random ball seems to be wrong?

I thought you drop according to where the ball crosses the penalty area rather than where it finishes? So you estimate it from your shot rather than where you recover the ball which can ricochet.

 

[doublebogey7]

For my future reference, what rule is it for changing the ball when taking a relief? Is it for any situation when a drop is taken, e.g. unplayable, abnormal conditions, lost in the penalty area?

What about when lift and clean on preferred lies? Can also replace the ball then?

Yes you can substitute your ball when taking relief under lift, clean and place. Essentially you can substitute a ball at any time when you are not required to replace the ball on its original spot.

 

[rulie]

The "one ball" Local Rule, G-4, says, "During a round, each ball at which the player makes a stroke must be the same brand and model as found in a single entry on the current List of Conforming Balls."
That is the Local Rule that was breached by Westwood. Nearly all professional tours use that Local Rule for their competitions. Otherwise, it's rarely used.

Without that Local Rule in effect, a player can use any ball when taking relief under the Rules/Local Rules that are in effect for the competition/event. The Rules are generally clear, often saying "dropping the original ball or another ball".
A rule-of-thumb that is applicable for most play - once a player has a ball in his hands and puts it into play, it is not a wrong ball, but it might be a substituted ball. Of course, there are a couple exceptions to this rule-of-thumb.

 

[Slab]

The "one ball" Local Rule, G-4, says, "During a round, each ball at which the player makes a stroke must be the same brand and model as found in a single entry on the current List of Conforming Balls."
That is the Local Rule that was breached by Westwood. Nearly all professional tours use that Local Rule for their competitions. Otherwise, it's rarely used.

Without that Local Rule in effect, a player can use any ball when taking relief under the Rules/Local Rules that are in effect for the competition/event. The Rules are generally clear, often saying "dropping the original ball or another ball".
A rule-of-thumb that is applicable for most play - once a player has a ball in his hands and puts it into play, it is not a wrong ball, but it might be a substituted ball. Of course, there are a couple exceptions to this rule-of-thumb.

As an aside I also suspect there might be something on the 'big' tours where the players need to state the make/model they'll play and keep to it for the year and can't change until the new calendar year when they declare their choice for the new year

 

[Swango1980]

As an aside I also suspect there might be something on the 'big' tours where the players need to state the make/model they'll play and keep to it for the year and can't change until the new calendar year when they declare their choice for the new year

Can an elite pro not change their ball sponsor mid season?

 

[Slab]

Can an elite pro not change their ball sponsor mid season?

There’s maybe a way but I noticed that a representative of the ET goes round various player bags prior to Thursday tee off checking equipment and specifically asks which make/model of ball is in use and its ticked off on a checklist

I chatted to the player re his ball choice and he said this was the last comp he’d be using it (late Dec) and from next year he’d be on latest model of same make.
I got the impression he’d would’ve already switched if he could’ve, but I might’ve read him wrongly

 

[Swango1980]

There’s maybe a way but I noticed that a representative of the ET goes round various player bags prior to Thursday tee off checking equipment and specifically asks which make/model of ball is in use and its ticked off on a checklist

I chatted to the player re his ball choice and he said this was the last comp he’d be using it (late Dec) and from next year he’d be on latest model of same make.
I got the impression he’d would’ve already switched if he could’ve, but I might’ve read him wrongly

Yeah, might be a thing. Would be interesting if they had to commit a full year.

Although I suppose they need to register for each comp they play in, so they might just put it in the paperwork each before each individual tournament before they arrive.

Glad it isn't like that for us. If I was committed to use the 120 Vice balls I bought several years back, I'd have cried after my first round with them

 

[Steven Rules]

There is no mention in the PGA Tour Hard Card of any additional restrictions or requirements beyond MLR G-4, which applies only during the round..

https://qualifying.pgatourhq.com/static-assets/uploads/2025%20Hard%20Card%20FINAL.pdf

The underlying intent is to prevent players using balls with different playing characteristics depending on the nature of the hole or shot to be played during a round.