Did you see Louis Oosthuizen’s
hole-in-oneat the 16
th
hole the final
day at the 2016 Masters in Augusta?
Here is a link to the video to refresh
your memory:
https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=j1qDfjubLjU.Oosthuizen’s ball landed on the
green then caromed off JB Holmes’
ball before finding the bottom of the
cup. Does that count as an ace? You
bet it does! But how, do you ask?
USGA Rule
#19-5clearly states,
“When a player’s ball in motion is
deflected by another ball at rest that
player must play his ball as it lies
.”
In this case, Louis gets some help
from JB’s ball in play, directing it
towards the cup.
What about Holmes, did he gain an
advantage? Sorry, not in this case,
Rule
#18-5states,
“If a ball in play and at rest is moved
by another ball in motion after
a stroke, the moved ball must be
replaced
.”
Holmes had to replace his ball to
its original position. He received no
positive assistance, nor does he incur
any penalty from his ball being struck.
Note, the rule says ‘
replaced
’, not
‘
dropped
’. There are times when you
put a ball back into play by dropping
it, but this situation is not one of
those.
Also note, Rule #20-3 states,
“The ball must be replaced by the
person who lifted or moved the ball,
the player or his partner.”
If placed by someone other than
those listed, a
one stroke penalty
is
assessed.
You can’t employ the cart girl for
assistance.
Iftheexactoriginallieofaballtobeplaced
isn’t known or can’t be determined,
USGA Rule #
20-3bapplies,
“The ball must be placed as near as
possible to the place where it lay
but not in a hazard
.”
Who would purposefully place their
golf ball in a hazard?
So next time your golf ball decides
to play bumper cars with another,
remember these
rules.
If youwould like to learnmore golf rules
in a relaxed and humorous method
check out
The Golf Rulesseries.
When Golf Balls Collide!
By
Richard Todd
When a
player’s ball
in motion is
deflected by
another ball at
rest that player
must play his
ball as it lies.
NWO Golf Links