Scores for Saturday 21 October 2023

Adjusting to the wet conditions caused a bit of a challenge today for most and we had no birdies, which is very unusual. Average stableford score was down at 28.17 and gross average up at 96.8. 

On the course today the first group required a ruling on the 8th regarding the replacement of a damaged ball. Roger Small felt that his ball had become damaged, presumably as a result of the bizarre flight of the ball from the tee resulting in it coming to rest some 30 yards from the tee in the short rough. He asked his playing partners if he was able to replace the ball as he believed it was damaged but was told that in the absence of visible damage to the ball he would need to replace the ball and continue to play the hole with said ball. After several minutes of discussion and receiving a shout from the group on the 6th hole to get a move on Roger proceeded to play the hole out with the "damaged" ball. 

As with past questions regarding rules (picking and cleaning plugged ball last year for example) I have done a bit of research. It seems that the ruling from Roger's playing partners was correct. A ball may only be replaced if the ball has become cracked or cut during play on the hole. I've included rule 4.2c below for confirmation. 

Furthermore, when lifting the ball you must first mark it and must not clean it if you are not entitled to do so. Examples where you are allowed to clean are plugged ball, preferred lie from fairway and of course on the green. 

So, if the ball was not marked and was replaced I believe a penalty would apply and the ball cannot be replaced during the hole based on you believing that the internal integrity may have been compromised. 

Roger did go on to score 2 points on the hole with the offending ball so who knows what he could've achieved with an undamaged ball. Roger dispatched the ball into the bushes after completing the hole, I'm not sure if he intended to do this or if his shot was wayward! So beware if you happen upon a (yellow?) ball in the bushes near the 8th green, play it at your peril. 

While this was going on, our other Roger, Mr Gibbs, was busy minding his own balls business working on a nice steady scorecard. He scored 17 out and 18 in to bag the win with a nice steady 35 points. Well done Roger!

Steve Brewerton took second place with 33 points. Well done Steve!

The front 9 was taken by Martin Deery with 16 points on count-back from Roger Small and Paul. Well done Martin!

Richard took the back 9 with 15 points on count-back from John James. Well done Richard!

Fox/Hunter next week. 

Have a great week all.

4.2c

4.2c Ball Becomes Cut or Cracked While Playing Hole

(1) Lifting Ball to See If Cut or Cracked. If a player reasonably believes that their ball has become cut or cracked during the hole being played :

• The player may lift the ball to look at it, but:
• The spot of the ball must first be marked, and the ball must not be cleaned (except on the putting green) (see Rule 14.1).

If the player lifts the ball without having this reasonable belief (except on the putting green where the player may lift under Rule 13.1b), fails to mark the spot of the ball before lifting it or cleans it when not allowed, the player gets one penalty stroke.

(2) When Another Ball May Be Substituted. The player may substitute another ball only if it can be clearly seen that the original ball is cut or cracked and this damage happened during the hole being played – but not if it is only scratched or scraped or its paint is only damaged or discoloured.

• If the original ball is cut or cracked, the player must replace either another ball or the original ball on the original spot (see Rule 14.2).
• If the original ball is not cut or cracked, the player must replace it on its original spot (see Rule 14.2).

If a player makes a stroke at an incorrectly substituted ball, the player gets one penalty stroke under Rule 6.3b.Nothing in this Rule prohibits a player from substituting another ball under any other Rule or changing balls between two holes.Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Rule 4.2c: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a.