I'd add mud on the ball but not adhering is uncommon. I suggest if the lightest touch on the mud (without moving the ball) did not move the mud, you have your answer - adhering. And if you want to take that risk, keep in mind there's a penalty if the ball moves.
I had to hit a number of mudballs yesterday. The mud absolutely does make a difference to how the ball travels, a big difference, but it is just part of winter golf. Hit it, suck it up. Better than not playing.
Correct if the ball has moved to any other spot either vertically or horizontally.
You're wrong actually! I had never seen it before until yesterday. I had a lie in the rough with mud on one side of the ball. Hit a perfectly normally pitching wedge, the ball went forward but then turned wildly left mid-flight! I always thought 'mud ball' was just an excuse until I saw it with my own eyes. ? And before you say it, I do not hook wedges like that, far more likely to hit a heely slice.
That is a strange comment. If it were true, I wonder why clubs bother playing preferred lies over the winter? It is, at least in part, so players can clear their golf ball before hitting it. But what is the point, as most club golfers are not professional tour players.
