A video posted on the instagram account @golfrules_questions questions an interesting rule of thumb. Indeed a golfer who has found his ball in a shallow neck of water but whose current is strong enough to make it move tries to make a stroke while it is in motion.
In the video clip here the player tries to play his ball in the penalty area which is completely allowed by the rules.
But the latter moving due to the intensity of the current the question becomes more thorny and the answer less obvious since the possibility of making a stroke at a moving ball has been addressed by rule 10.
What does the rule say?
Look for the paragraph entitled “Preparation and execution of a blow; Advice and help; Cadets ”
In section d) we can read this:
d Playing a moving ball
A player must not make a stroke at a moving ball.
A ball in play is “in motion” when it is not at rest in a specific spot.
If a ball at rest wobbles (it is sometimes said to oscillate) but remains in place or returns to its original spot, it is considered to be at rest and is not a moving ball.
Exceptions
We can therefore think that the player incurs a penalty in this case but there are three exceptions where there is no penalty and in particular one which concerns a ball which would rest in the water.
Exception 3 – Ball moving in water: When a ball moves in temporary water or in water in a penalty area:
The player may hit the moving ball without penalty, or
The player may take relief under rule 16.1 or 17, and he may lift the ball in motion.
In either case, the player must not unreasonably delay play (see rule 5.6a) to allow wind or current to move the ball to a better spot.
Conclusion : In the case of this player there will be no penalty but we cannot advise you enough to try this stroke in competition… isn’t golf difficult enough like that?
