What does the Rules of Golf say to handle the situation pictured? Both balls are plugged in a bunker.
Rule 15.3b Ball Anywhere on Course Interfering with Play
1. Meaning of Interference by Another Player’s Ball. Interference under this Rule exists when another player’s ball at rest:
• Might interfere with the player’s area of intended stance or area of intended swing,
• Is on or close to the player’s line of play such that, given the intended stroke, there is a reasonable chance the player’s ball in motion could hit that ball, or
• Is close enough to distract the player in making the stroke.
2. When Relief is Allowed from Interfering ball. If a player reasonably believes that another player’s ball anywhere on the course might interfere with the player’s own play:
• The player may require the other player to mark the spot and lift the ball Rule 14.1, and the ball must not be cleaned (except when lifted from the putting green) and must be replaced on its original spot.
• If the player does not mark the spot before lifting the ball or cleans the lifted ball when not allowed, they get one penalty stroke.
• In stroke play only, a player required to lift their ball under this Rule may play first instead.
A player is not allowed to lift their ball under this Rule based only on the player’s own belief that the ball might interfere with another player’s play.
If the player lifts their ball when not required to do so by the other player (except when lifting the ball on putting green under Rule 13.1b), the player gets one penalty stroke.
Rule 14.2d Where to Replace Ball When Original Lie Altered
If the lie of a lifted or moved ball that must be replaced is altered, the player must replace the ball this way:
- Ball in Sand. When the ball was, in sand, whether in a bunker or anywhere else on the course:
• In replacing the ball on its original spot, the player must re-create the original lie as much as possible.
• In re-creating the lie, the player may leave a small part of the ball visible if the ball had been covered by sand.
If the player plays from the right place, but fails to re-create the lie in breach of this Rule, the player gets the general penalty two strokes.
Now that we know the Rules for an interfering ball in play. How do we go about making it fair for each player to have the same conditions?
The player with the plugged lie furthest from the hole will play first. The player closest will have to mark his/her ball. Player two needs to mark his/her spot a good distance away from original spot. In this situation I would recommend a club length away from the original spot. Player, one plays his plugged ball and alters player 2’s original lie. What needs to take place before player two plays?
Before player two plays, player two would be able to rake the bunker to re-create the original plugged lie as much as possible. Player two is also allowed to rake the area that player one stood to play his/her shot from.
Here is this month’s golf etiquette tip: When you have completed your round of golf, please drive away from the green before putting your equipment away so the players behind you can play their shots to the green.
