Status of holed ball

[D-S]

Today I was asked by a fellow competitor to remove my ball from the hole before he took his putt as he had been told that if his ball hit mine in the bottom of the hole it would be a penalty.

My initial instinct was that my ball at rest at the bottom of the hole was not in play so hitting it wouldn't be a penalty - however I couldn't think where I could find the rule or what the status of my ball was. Please advise.

 

[wjemather]

No penalty.

 

[Colin L]

That's one of the longstanding rules myths.

I remember some years ago a friend in a friendly match tried to claim the hole from me on that basis. Trying it on a rules geek was not one his best decisions of the day.

 

[D-S]

Is there a specific rule/clarification to point to? What is the holed ball?

 

[wjemather]

Is there a specific rule/clarification to point to? What is the holed ball?

The ball that is already in the hole is no longer in play (definition of In Play).

 

[rulie]

Is there a specific rule/clarification to point to? What is the holed ball?

It is a movable obstruction at that point.

 

[D-S]

The ball that is already in the hole is no longer in play (definition of In Play).

Thank you.

 

[IanM]

Where do they get some of these beliefs from?

 

[D-S]

It is a movable obstruction at that point.

Thank you.