Opponent marked ball while my ball was in motion

[LincolnShep]

I was playing matchplay yesterday. My opponent's ball was on the green but I was off. I chipped on and my ball was travelling towards his so he quickly marked his ball to avoid a collision. Should he have done that whilst my ball was in motion?

 

[Colin L]

No he shouldn't have. See Rule 1-2:

A player must not (i) take an action with the intent to influence the movement of a ball in play or (ii) alter physical conditions with the intent of affecting the playing of a hole.

He could have moved any of his equipment out of the way but his ball is not equipment.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Lifting a ball from the putting green without marking its position first incurs a penalty of one stroke, Rule 16-1b.
A ball on the putting green may be marked, lifted and cleaned at any time, except that a ball that might influence the movement of the ball in motion must not be lifted.

Oops CL beat me to it - but with the correct reference

 

[chrisd]

I absolutely agree that it's the right ruling but I wouldn't care to see the look on my opponents face when I tell him what he's Done!

 

[LincolnShep]

Thanks all, seems I missed the chance to claim the hole through not being sure of the rule and not wanting to "cause a fuss". I must be more assertive...

 

[user2010]

I was playing matchplay yesterday. My opponent's ball was on the green but I was off. I chipped on and my ball was travelling towards his so he quickly marked his ball to avoid a collision. Should he have done that whilst my ball was in motion?

Lifting a ball from the putting green without marking its position first incurs a penalty of one stroke, Rule 16-1b.
A ball on the putting green may be marked, lifted and cleaned at any time, except that a ball that might influence the movement of the ball in motion must not be lifted.

Oops CL beat me to it - but with the correct reference

Err! his opponent did mark his ball though.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Err! his opponent did mark his ball though.

It wasn't that bit - it was the next bit...

 

[duncan mackie]

I absolutely agree that it's the right ruling but I wouldn't care to see the look on my opponents face when I tell him what he's Done!

It's an even better look when you advise your partner that's he's now out of the hole....instant response "no I'm not I've got a shot"

Further explanation got even better facial expressions!

 

[user2010]

It wasn't that bit - it was the next bit...

So why put it into your reply......?

 

[cliveb]

No he shouldn't have. See Rule 1-2:

A player must not (i) take an action with the intent to influence the movement of a ball in play or (ii) alter physical conditions with the intent of affecting the playing of a hole.

He could have moved any of his equipment out of the way but his ball is not equipment.

I'm confused. If a player moves his equipment out of the path of a FC's ball (which would otherwise have been deflected by it), doesn't that constitute "taking action to influence the movement of a ball in play"?

 

[LincolnShep]

I'm confused. If a player moves his equipment out of the path of a FC's ball (which would otherwise have been deflected by it), doesn't that constitute "taking action to influence the movement of a ball in play"?

My guess (!) is that a ball has to be where it has to be; whereas everything else can be moved. So it's OK to avoid a deflection off a bag but a ball is effectively part of the course, not part of the player's equipment.

 

[pogle]

I'm confused. If a player moves his equipment out of the path of a FC's ball (which would otherwise have been deflected by it), doesn't that constitute "taking action to influence the movement of a ball in play"?

Rule 24-1 states, in part,

When a ball is in motion, an obstruction that might influence the movement of the ball, other than equipment
of any player or the flagstick when attended, removed or held up, must not be moved.

Which illustrates perfectly why, on occasion, pointing at one particular rule might not be enough. Frustrating though.

 

[cliveb]

Rule 24-1 states, in part,

When a ball is in motion, an obstruction that might influence the movement of the ball, other than equipment
of any player or the flagstick when attended, removed or held up, must not be moved.

Which illustrates perfectly why, on occasion, pointing at one particular rule might not be enough. Frustrating though.

OK thanks, that makes it clear.
I did try looking at rule 19 (ball in motion deflected) but didn't think of looking at rule 24.