bobmac
Major Champion
But the rules only exist for the people, the game does not use them
(At least the 2019 version were a big step forward)
And written by the people
But the rules only exist for the people, the game does not use them
(At least the 2019 version were a big step forward)
Then people should read the Rules, not relying on hearsay and past editions.But the rules only exist for the people, the game does not use them
(At least the 2019 version were a big step forward)
Not according to 18.2a. He is required to go and identify a ball that has been found in the 3 minute search period within a reasonable time. If he does not do so, the ball, if his original, is lost. He continues with his provisional ball which is now his ball in play.
Rule 1.2a says players are expected to act with integrity, and the Committee can DQ a player for acting contrary to the spirit of the game in cases of serious misconduct. This could be one of those cases.Surely this situation could be taken advantage of. ( I'm not suggesting it was in this instance. Below is a hypothetical scenario)
Suppose someone decides that it looks like where "his" ball has been found is in a very bad place, so plays( or has already played) a provisionally which is in a very good place. If, by failing to go and identify the ball, it becomes "lost",
he then carries on and plays the provisional ( which happens to be in a very good place😉). Is this what could be done?
Is a player able to decide not to go and identify the found ball, or must he go and identify it..? What happens if he declines to identify it.?
Now it depends on the integrity of two peopleI'm a little surprised that the rule writers didn't restrict the identification of the ball to the player himself, and rely on his integrity, as golf does so admirably in other matters.