Ohio Golf Journal November 2018

How the Golf Rules Help, When Balls Collide! By Richard Todd O n the 18th green of the 72nd hole of the 2018 World Golf Championship-HSBC Champions in Shanghai last month, Xander Schauffele’s ball settled on the back edge of the green. Perilously close to a steep embankment that would have allowed the ball to run down into the water surrounding the green. Next to play was, Justin Rose, Schauffele’s playing partner. Rose’s shot ran across the green and FROOLGHG LQWR WKH ĆUVW EDOO VHQGLQJ WKHP ERWK LQWR the water hazard. In this situation, the rules of golf permit Schauffele’s ball to be replaced where it had originally been before it was moved. Because Rose’s ball had caused the collision, he had to play his ball from the water hazard. How do the rules impact golf balls that collide in other areasof thecourseand indifferent scenarios? The answer lies in knowing where each ball was laying prior to being struck. -Both balls in the fairway: USGA Rule 18-5 st ates when a ball at rest is moved by another ball, there is no penalty to either player and the golfer, whose shot struck the ball at rest plays his ball as it lies and the golfer, whose ball was moved, returns it to its original location. If the struck ball is not returned to its original location, a two-stroke penalty is assessed. If the golfer, whose ball hit the ball at rest moves his ball, he receives a two-stroke penalty, or loss of hole in match play. -One ball in the fairway and one on the green: The same rules apply in this situation, as if both balls were lying on the fairway. O h i o G o l f J o u rn a l