marking balls thread inspired this one

[Herbie]

If you hit your ball in the rough and spend just a small amount of time looking for it, then find it, but before returning to your bag for a club, you pop your hat on top of it to remind you where it is.

Is this a foul in any way?
Because the ball is covered how do you know it hasnt moved or wasnt moved by the hat?


I ask this because I ve seen players do this several times and wondered what the official ruling would be about something you cannot see?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think it may fall foul of rule 13-2 in improving the lie as the hat may be deemed to move, bend or break anything growing or fixed. In other words placing a hat in the vicinity of the ball may be seen as flattening or moving the grass and incur a 2 shot penalty.

I may not be correct in this assumption but it is probably a practice steered clear of especially in competitive play.

 

[Herbie]

Thanks Homer, I knew something might cover it if it came to 'high noon' on the subject, its just something Ive seen (only a few) and it just makes your questioning hairs stand up?

 

[Leftie]

Never seen anyone throw something over the ball - usually a hat, glove, handkerchief or similar near the ball i.e. a foot or two away.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Herb,

Don't quote me on that. It was the only thing I could come across in the rules that may be a problem. It may be that it is ok to do but I'm just playing devils advocate.

 

[Cernunnos]

Can'tsee how anything as light as a hat could improve a lie in the rough, but I'll admit I'd probably er on the side of caution & drop hat a foot away either way. Though the amount of seniors I've seen putting a cap over the ball whilst they go back to their bag for a club, especially on comp day...well. lol

 

[Twire]

Must say I always do this with my hat, but as leftie said, I do it a couple of feet away.

 

[TonyN]

As above.

I suppose it would be down to the individual, if you felt your ball had moved under the hat then you would have to own up, if someone else felt it had moved then they would have to prove it I suppose.

 

[Herbie]

I have seen lots of people do the same thing but not cover the ball, do you think covering the ball is the action of a novice hat dropper?

 

[shanker]

Never seen anyone throw something over the ball - usually a hat, glove, handkerchief or similar near the ball i.e. a foot or two away.

This is what you do, isn't it. I think the OP is pulling our ****** as it's New Year's Day. Please don't take offence. I've been knocking back some smooth, red stuff. Happy New Year.

 

[USER1999]

I plant a stake, pile some kindling round it and set it on fire. Easy to find again, no worries.

 

[Herbie]

This is a serious question fellas, I worry about people who find a ball and are not confident enough to find it again after a 5 yd walk to their bag and back.

What bag?
Where am I?
Who are all these people?
Ball! ?
Wh's cap is this?

 

[backwoodsman]

Is this a foul in any way?
Because the ball is covered how do you know it hasnt moved or wasnt moved by the hat?


I ask this because I ve seen players do this several times and wondered what the official ruling would be about something you cannot see?

Schroedinger's Cat...