Post by Mark MyersOn Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:06:30 +0000 (UTC), Rog said...
Post by RogPost by ASAt what point in the 'placing the ball' routine on the green does the
ball become 'live' and untouchable?
AS
As a wild uneducated guess, don't quote me on this or ban me from the
Club.
Removing the marker?
I agree. This decision I've quoted below isn't a direct answer to the
question, but does indicate that there is no penalty for fumbling, until
the marker has been removed.
fromhttp://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rules-and-Decisions/
Decision 20-3a/1
Ball Moved in Removing Ball-Marker After Replacing Ball
Q. A player replaces his ball under a Rule and, in the act of removing
the object marking its position, accidentally moves the ball. What is
the ruling?
A. Removal of the ball-marker is part of the replacement process.
Accordingly, under Rule 20-3a, no penalty is incurred, and the ball must
be replaced.
--
Mark Myers
usenet at mcm2007 dot plus dot com
As in most areas of golf rules there is always a "not mecessarily".
In this instance the answer to Decision 20-4/1 states the following...
"Under Rule 20-4 a ball is in play when it is replaced, whether or not
the object used to mark its position has been removed.
Thus once the ball is on the green and a gust of wind moves it then
the ball
is played from the new position.
During a stroke a marker may be left on the ground and if the ball is
moved at
address then a penalty is incurred.
The questioner uses an unfortunate word "untouchable". A ball on the
green
is never untouchable for it may be remarked, relifted and replaced. I
do know
what you mean though :-)
JPW