On Course....... with Tom Casady - The Ball, the Argument, and More

Tom Casady, Edmond, OK (August 4, 2010)   Eduardo Romero, at the the US Senior Open at Sahalee, WA caused a big flurry of comments regarding a ruling made on the opinion of whether he should be penalized for his ball moving. See some of the many comments and of opinions about the situation - HERE. Based upon this controversy, I wish to state some rules that should help you decide the proper ruling when you find yourself in a like situation.


Rule 18-2b, Ball Moving after Address, states: “If a player's ball in play moves after he has addressed it (other than as a result of a stroke), the player is deemed to have moved the ball and incurs a penalty of one stroke. The ball must be replaced, unless the movement of the ball occurs after the player has begun the stroke or the backward movement of the club for the stroke and the stroke is made.” (USGA Rules of Golf, 2010-2011)

Rule 18-1, Ball at Rest Moved, by Outside Agency, states: “If a ball at rest is moved by an outside agency, there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced.” (USGA Rules of Golf, 2010-2011)

Section II, Definitions, Addressing the Ball, states: “A player has “addressed the ball” when he has taken his stance and has also grounded his club, except that in a hazard a player has addressed the ball when he has taken his stance.” (USGA Rules of Golf, 2010-2011)

Note that before a player has taken his stance, if the ball moves due to an outside agency, there is no penalty and the ball is replaced. And that after a stance is taken, if a ball moves, a penalty is accessed. This is why many players will not ground their clubs after taking their stance.

Also, there are many instances where there is not a penalty if a player moves his ball. See the exceptions under Rule 18-2a. Note also, it is the players responsibility to determine if, indeed, an outside agency moved the ball. If it can not be determined, the player is deemed to have moved the ball. (See the Note under Rule 18-1)

If you know your rules and how to use them, the Rules of Golf may save you strokes.

. . . . On Course to save you strokes!


Tom Casady is the Oklahoma Tour Handicap Chairman, a member of the Tournament Committee and is a partner with Scott Chilcutt and Loyd Welch in the operation of the Oklahoma Tour. Tom can be reached @ TC3ofCnC@aol.com.