While taking relief, a player drops a ball in the right way, but the ball is accidently stopped by the player’s foot or equipment (such as a tee that is marking the relief area) and comes to rest in the relief area. The ball moves when the player moves his/her foot or the ball moves while removing the tee marking the relief area. What is the Rule?
Rule 14.3c(1)1 – What to Do When Dropped Ball Moves After Coming to Rest Against a Player’s Foot or Equipment
There is no penalty. The player has completed taking relief when a ball dropped in the right way comes to rest in the relief area. It doesn’t matter whether the ball, AFTER HITTING THE GROUND, touches any person, equipment or other influence before coming to rest. If the ball comes to rest in the relief area, the player has completed taking relief and must play the ball as it lies. If the ball moves when the player moves their foot or the equipment, the player MUST REPLACE THE BALL as required by Rule 9.4 but gets no penalty as the ball’s movement was a result of reasonable actions taken in taking relief under a Rule.
Here is this month’s golf etiquette tip: Wait for the group ahead to leave the green before hitting your shot to the green.
