Ruling on moving obstructions

[Lindyhop67]

I've posted before on odd ruling questions. Here's another one for you.

Can anyone tell me what the ruling would be if, say, your ball is rolling off a green and heading for a small twig and you remove the twig before the ball reaches it.

This scenario happened to a competitor of mine yesterday at the very lovely Theydon Bois GC. The green was treachorous and his putt was rolling back towards him, yes back, away from the hole and about to leave the green when it hit a twig which stopped it. My competitor rightly played his next putt without moving the twig. His ball would have moved had he removed the twig resulting in a penalty. But, could he have rushed to move the twig before the ball reached it?

Apologies for the wordy question.

 

[DCB]

Assuming that the ball is till on the green and has not rolled off the green, then you can mark the ball, and then lift it. Then remove the twig, a moveable obstruction and replace the ball at the marked position when readt to putt.

 

[Lindyhop67]

I think the ball was on the fringe and, being Winter rules, I guess he could have done the same. However, could he have moved the twig as the ball rolled towards it?

 

[SammmeBee]

A twig is a loose impediment not a movable obstruction.....in answer to the OP No he can't move the twig while the ball is moving

 

[Fyldewhite]

Rule 23-1.....
When a ball is in motion, a loose impediment that might influence the movement of the ball must not be removed.

 

[backwoodsman]

Whilst a ball is in motion you can't move anything that might stop or otherwise influence the motion of the ball. This regardless of whether its an obstruction, a loose impediment - or even the flagstick (unless its being attended)

 

[Fyldewhite]

Not quite true...... 24-1....

"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."

So, for example, it's OK to move your bag/trolley or the flagstick even if it's just lying on the ground.

 

[backwoodsman]

Not quite true...... 24-1....

"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."

So, for example, it's OK to move your bag/trolley or the flagstick even if it's just lying on the ground.

Ok - having re-read the rules I'll concede you that. I'd always assumed that the "removed or held up" bit was applicable only as part of the flag "being attended". But decisions book (17.1/6) make it clear that I was mistaken.