The R&A announced that from 1 January 2017 competition committees will be permitted to introduce a local rule that waives a penalty when a ball is accidentally moved on the putting green and Golf Australia has encouraged all Australian clubs to make a decision to adopt this local rule.
As a result Echunga will be adopting this local rule. Whilst at this stage we won’t be able to add this local rule to our score cards it will be considered to be in play for all competitions held at Echunga. The local rule is as follows:
“Accidental Movement of a Ball on a Putting Green
Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1 are modified as follows:
When a player’s ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player, his partner, his opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment. The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced as provided in Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1. This Local Rule applies only when the player’s ball or ball-marker lies on the putting green and any movement is accidental.
Note: If it is determined that a player’s ball on the putting green was moved as a result of wind, water or some other natural cause such as the effects of gravity, the ball must be played as it lies from its new location. A ball-marker moved in such circumstances is replaced.”
Further information on this local rule can be found on the Golf Australia website at the following link:
www.golf.org.au/ball-move
EGC Match Committee
As a result Echunga will be adopting this local rule. Whilst at this stage we won’t be able to add this local rule to our score cards it will be considered to be in play for all competitions held at Echunga. The local rule is as follows:
“Accidental Movement of a Ball on a Putting Green
Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1 are modified as follows:
When a player’s ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player, his partner, his opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment. The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced as provided in Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1. This Local Rule applies only when the player’s ball or ball-marker lies on the putting green and any movement is accidental.
Note: If it is determined that a player’s ball on the putting green was moved as a result of wind, water or some other natural cause such as the effects of gravity, the ball must be played as it lies from its new location. A ball-marker moved in such circumstances is replaced.”
Further information on this local rule can be found on the Golf Australia website at the following link:
www.golf.org.au/ball-move
EGC Match Committee
