practice stroke during a round query

ScienceBoy

ScienceBoy

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Interesting query here.

Our course's 18th and 10th are either side of the driving range and often the practice balls litter the fairway of each.

Question: Is it illegal to move these balls with the back of the club our of the way with a swing like motion? I am taking about the non hitting side of an iron but with a left handed chipping like swing.

What is the ruling here? I did this today as the balls impeded my stance. A guy in our fourball said it counts as practising on the course so I took a 2 stroke penalty. I ended up picking up anyway due to the fact my swing had left me two holes ago. Still managed to card 31 points with 3 blobs on the card (16,17 and 18).

What is your interpretation, I thought I was within the rules before but I also think it could not be after I did it.
 
Seems a bit harsh to me mate,We have the same problem down our first,I always pick them up and throw them back though,dont know what the ruling would be for hitting them back...
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Rather safe than sorry, best I could have made was another point but never good enough for a top 10 without getting stuck in a bunker on the 16th or shanking two on 17. I didnt feel like I choked but playing 16 with 31 points already might have affected me.

It was very funny, shanked the last 5 balls on the range before I went out and then promptly got to three under the handicap before the game started to come undone on 13 :(
 
They are really nice guys, apparently he said he had been caught doing it last year but actualy using the striking face. I think he did not see I was using the back of the club so maybe that is why. I did say I only used the back but then I felt at the time I should take the penalty and did not argue it. I pretty much called it on myself after he made me aware of it.

I did not at any time strike any range balls with the striking face of the club but I did make a chipping action hitting with the back of it. I felt it was a grey area and I would always go with how I feel and it felt right to call the penalty.

The best thing that comes from it is I go home, read the rules and then next time I shall know!
 
This is covered by Rule 7-2 which relates to practise during a round. There is a relevant decision; 7-2/5 Hitting Practice Range Ball Back to Range which reads

"Q. During play of a hole, a player saw some balls from the adjoining practice range lying on the course and flicked one back to the range with his club. Is there a penalty under Rule 7-2?

A. In some circumstances the hitting of a practice range ball back towards the range during the play of a hole would be a breach of Rule 7-2, but the casual flicking of a range ball, apparently only for the purpose of tidying up the course, is not a breach."

In the circumstances I think you were harshly done by. Do you normally hit the ball left handed with the back of a club? If not I can't see what you were supposed to be practising. :D
 
science boffin,
Surprised that there isn't a local rule or club house notice to remind players if its a frequent occurence to come across balls from the practice ground :D
 
Seems a bit harsh as it wasn't as though you'd addressed them or anything. I'd check with the secretary/handicap committee to see if there is a local rule and then just bear it in mind for the next comp and pick them up by hand.
 
A guy in our fourball said it counts as practising on the course so I took a 2 stroke penalty.
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I wouldn't want to meet your enemies. :D

We have the odd ball on our 9th/14th and I just chuck 'em back if they are in the way.
I would avoid hitting a ball with a club, but if I did, I wouldn't expect some clever-arse to pull me up.

I stick to two simples rules in golf, the second of which is never to get heavy with people over rules if the thing they've done has clearly not helped them in any way and is unusual enough to not be black and white.

If you'd had a crack at the green with a ball, I'd say penalty. If you flicked one backhanded back onto the range, why bother?
 
No local rules about it, just its something to be aware of. I knew I should not be addressing them and hitting proper shots but I was waiting for the green and moving them out the way in a more interesting manner seemed a good idea.

Not anymore, just in case!
 
I believe that you would be disqualified for moving these balls with your club if the offence took place prior to competition!
 
I believe that you would be disqualified for moving these balls with your club if the offence took place prior to competition!
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Was at the end of a stableford. I still feel at the time it was right to call the 2 shot penalty even if it was just with the back of my club. I certainly will move them by hand next time.

I think a lot of people move them without thinking, the weird thing is you can practice putting/chipping on the tee or near a green. I think the best thing to do is to avoid hitting anything with your club except the shot you intend!
 
In matchplay, you could always take a practice putt or chip after a hole was completed, providing you did not hold up play. The Rules now allow the same in strokeplay. Rule 7.2.
 
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