Matchplay - playing order

[NearHull]

Interesting ruling for me last night in the WGC Matchplay. ( Schefler/Poston on 13). Both players miss hit shots into the hazard. The hazard boundary is a curve . Poston ball inside the hazard by a foot, but totally unplayable. When Poston takes his drop, he is 30 yds from the pin. Sheffler hits into the same hazard but in the water, and when he takes his drop, he is 70 yds from the pin, having crossed the hazard boundary ‘early ’ in the flight. ( I may have got the actual distances incorrect)​

But what was a little strange was that Poston played first, because as the commentators stated, the playing order is determined by where the balls came to rest ( one visible, one in the water). Shefler’s ball in the water was judged to be closer to the pin, hence Poston goes first - even though his dropped ball was closest to the pin.​

I get the ruling, but it was a bit weird to watch. I don’t think many of us would have realised the correct order of play.​

 

[Steven Rules]

The applicable Rule is 6.4d(1).

 

[jim8flog]

in case you do not have easy access to the rules

» The player’s order of play is based on the spot where the original ball lies
(which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2).
» This applies even when the player has already decided to take stroke-and distance
relief or to take relief to play from a different place than where the
original ball lies (such as when the original ball is in a penalty area or will
be treated as unplayable).

 

[salfordlad]

in case you do not have easy access to the rules

» The player’s order of play is based on the spot where the original ball lies
(which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2).
» This applies even when the player has already decided to take stroke-and distance
relief or to take relief to play from a different place than where the
original ball lies (such as when the original ball is in a penalty area or will
be treated as unplayable).

This is only if the player has a choice - it doesn't apply if the player must do S&D (eg if ball is OOB).
More generally, the rules now are much simpler on order of play than what existed pre-2019.

 

[3offTheTee]

The applicable Rule is 6.4d(1).

I know you will be correct so please do not feel I am doubting your knowledge.

I have looked and cannot find the rule you have quoted Steven.

However I notice at the bottom it quotes , “see Full Rules”

Where do I find a copy of these please?

Many thanks

 

[jim8flog]

This is only if the player has a choice - it doesn't apply if the player must do S&D (eg if ball is OOB).
More generally, the rules now are much simpler on order of play than what existed pre-2019.

The cut and paste is from the 2023 rule book Rule 6.4d as quoted by Stephen

Further cut and paste

6.4d When Player Takes Relief or Will Play Provisional Ball from
Anywhere Except Teeing Area
The order of play under Rules 6.4a(1) and 6.4b(1) in these two cases is:
(1) Taking Relief to Play Ball from a Different Place Than Where It Lies.
• When Player Becomes Aware That They Are Required to Take Stroke-and-
Distance Relief. The player’s order of play is based on the spot where their
previous stroke was made.
• When Player Has Choice to Play Ball as It Lies or Take Relief.
» The player’s order of play is based on the spot where the original ball lies
(which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2).
» This applies even when the player has already decided to take stroke-anddistance
relief or to take relief to play from a different place than where the
original ball lies (such as when the original ball is in a penalty area or will
be treated as unplayable).

 

[jim8flog]

I know you will be correct so please do not feel I am doubting your knowledge.

I have looked and cannot find the rule you have quoted Steven.

However I notice at the bottom it quotes , “see Full Rules”

Where do I find a copy of these please?

Many thanks

I am not sure where are looking but since January there has only been one Rule 'book'. This is because there is no book any more just online or app resources.

 

[Steven Rules]

https://www.randa.org/rog/the-rules-of-golf

 

[salfordlad]

The cut and paste is from the 2023 rule book Rule 6.4d as quoted by Stephen

Further cut and paste

6.4d When Player Takes Relief or Will Play Provisional Ball from
Anywhere Except Teeing Area
The order of play under Rules 6.4a(1) and 6.4b(1) in these two cases is:
(1) Taking Relief to Play Ball from a Different Place Than Where It Lies.
• When Player Becomes Aware That They Are Required to Take Stroke-and-
Distance Relief. The player’s order of play is based on the spot where their
previous stroke was made.
• When Player Has Choice to Play Ball as It Lies or Take Relief.
» The player’s order of play is based on the spot where the original ball lies
(which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2).
» This applies even when the player has already decided to take stroke-anddistance
relief or to take relief to play from a different place than where the
original ball lies (such as when the original ball is in a penalty area or will
be treated as unplayable).

Your original cut and paste missed important context and only had validity in certain circumstances - I was pointing that out. My reference to pre-2019 was just historical artifact, I was always fully aware of precisely where your words came from.

 

[salfordlad]

I am not sure where are looking but since January there has only been one Rule 'book'. This is because there is no book any more just online or app resources.

?????????

 

[Colin L]

I am not sure where are looking but since January there has only been one Rule 'book'. This is because there is no book any more just online or app resources.

I guess you are thinking of the disappearance of a printed "Player's Edition". A printed copy of the Rules of Golf 2023 is available from the R&A shop. The book is free; you just pay for the postage. £4.95 in the UK, I think.
https://shop.randa.org/rules-of-golf-2023

 

[3offTheTee]

I am not sure where are looking but since January there has only been one Rule 'book'. This is because there is no book any more just online or app resources.

Thanks.

All I had was The player’s edition of The Rules of Golf.

Learnt something today and appreciate your help along with Steven for pointing me in the right direction

 

[doublebogey7]

Not as weird as watching Rory play his second shot from just off the green on 13, while Xander waited nearly 200yds away to play his third.

 

[salfordlad]

I guess you are thinking of the disappearance of a printed "Player's Edition". A printed copy of the Rules of Golf 2023 is available from the R&A shop. The book is free; you just pay for the postage. £4.95 in the UK, I think.
https://shop.randa.org/rules-of-golf-2023

And there is the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf, the 500+ pages of hard copy containing Rules, Clarifications, Committee Procedures, MLRs etc - the single reference source that works even if the computers/phones are down.

 

[Steven Rules]

I guess you are thinking of the disappearance of a printed "Player's Edition". A printed copy of the Rules of Golf 2023 is available from the R&A shop. The book is free; you just pay for the postage. £4.95 in the UK, I think.
https://shop.randa.org/rules-of-golf-2023

Or download the PDF version for free from the R&A at
https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/c42c7bf4-dca7-00ea-4f2e-373223f80f76/48712d47-76dc-4fd3-add1-53972c021580/2023 Rules of Golf.pdf

 

[rulefan]

Or download the PDF version for free from the R&A at
https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/c42c7bf4-dca7-00ea-4f2e-373223f80f76/48712d47-76dc-4fd3-add1-53972c021580/2023 Rules of Golf.pdf

Is there a pdf available on the USGA website? I don't seem to be able to find one.

 

[jim8flog]

Is there a pdf available on the USGA website? I don't seem to be able to find one.

According to the front cover/first page it would be the same book.