Golf Rules Discussion

In R20-2c, substitution of another ball is NOT permitted, (unless not immediately recoverable)

In R20-2a, is substitution of another ball permitted, after a ball has been dropped and strikes any person or equipment? (exclude not immediately recoverable)

In 20-2a is says THE ball must be re-dropped if it strikes any person or equipment, so no substitution for the re-drop.

Johanna

Johanna wrote:In 20-2a is says THE ball must be re-dropped if it strikes any person or equipment, so no substitution for the re-drop.

Thank you for your answer.

I asked the question because from discussions, a drop where the ball hit a player's equipment or himself, was considered a "No drop." Logically then, if the drop effectively did not happen, then substitution of another ball under a rule which permits substitution, (R26, R28) would be permitted.

Hi Shadowpap

I am not sure what discussions you refer to when you say that a dropped ball which strikes the player or his equipment is considered a "no-drop"

As Johanna states rule 20-2a says that the ball must be "re-dropped".

For the ball to be re-dropped it must have already been dropped previously otherwise the term "re-dropped" would not be used.

DonB

Shadowpap

The second para of 20-2a says:

If the (ie the one referenced in para 1) ball when dropped touches any person or the equipment of any player before or after it strikes a part of the course and before it comes to rest, the (ie the same one) ball must be re-dropped, without penalty.

Doug wrote:Shadowpap

The second para of 20-2a says:

If the (ie the one referenced in para 1) ball when dropped touches any person or the equipment of any player before or after it strikes a part of the course and before it comes to rest, the (ie the same one) ball must be re-dropped, without penalty.

I understand that and don't disagree. The point that was brought by a member of our discussion group was that the last sentence of 20-2a states: "There is no limit to the number of times A ball must be dropped in these circumstances." His contention was that if it was in fact THE ball, that the word THE would be used throughout.

I think it is allowing for the lost ball in 20-2c note 2 but I see their point.

Doug wrote:I think it is allowing for the lost ball in 20-2c note 2 but I see their point.

Another point on this issue, raised in our discussions, was the last paragraph of Decision 20-6/4 that states, "A player re-dropping a ball under 20-2c may not substitute balls unless the ball that was originally dropped is not immediately recoverable." Fair enough. But, it was felt that if substituting a ball under 20-2a was also NOT permissible, that 20-2a should have been included in the above statement.