Golf Rules. Touching the ball?

Question

At address in a game today I touched the ball {It did Not move) before I started my backswing. My opponent reckon that is a penalty shoot! i am not so sure What do you think??

Answer 1

Hello George

I must disagree with most and say there is no penalty for touching the ball as long as the ball did not move. Actually you can even pick the ball up for ID purposes as long as you do not wipe it off and replace it as it was.

Sometimes we get carried away with what our opponents are doing and misinterpret the rules a bit.

At any rate in a time like that where there is a question you simply play the ball and let the pro or rules committee make a decision, you may have to play a second ball from that point and keep track of both .

You may even touch a ball in a hazard with your club and if it does not move there is not stroke or penalty.

So I agree with incontrol.

My word is backed up by the USGA rules.

Leon

Answer 2

Your playing partner is wrong because it is not a penalty, it does count as a stroke. If you had touched the ball with your club,whether it moves or not, it is a stroke but if you are on a tee box & have not started the hole it does not matter. I do agree with catweazle that your partner was being very fussy unless you were playing for a lot of money. on the other hand now that I have read some of these obviously more informed golf nuts. I admit I am probably totally wrong.

Answer 3

If you touched the ball, not with the intent of hitting it and it didin't move. It is not a penalty or a stroke..

Definition: Any swing which is completed with the intent to strike the ball, putting it into play.
A swing that is voluntarily stopped prior to making contact with the ball is not a stroke. A swing that is completed with the intention of hitting the ball, but in which the ball is not struck, counts as a stroke.

It this rule there are key words.. "intent" and implied movement on contact. If you did not intend to hit ball and did not move it it is not a stroke or penalty, if you did intend to hit ball and made contact and it did not move, it is a stroke but no penalty

Answer 4

No it is not a penalty, but it is a stroke. If you touched the ball with your club,whether it moves or not, it is a stroke(unless you are on a tee box). If you touch your ball with your hand, then it is a penalty. Two strokes.

Answer 5

If you are on the tee, no penalty. If you touch it while in play and it returns to the original spot, no penalty. If you move it while in play, return it and take a penalty stroke.


18-2 By Player, Partner, Caddie or Equipment
a. General
When a player’s ball is in play, if:
(i) the player, his partner or either of their caddies lifts or moves it, touches it purposely (except with a club in the act of addressing it) or causes it to move except as permitted by a Rule, or (ii) equipment of the player or his partner causes the ball to move,the player incurs a penalty of one stroke. If the ball is moved, it 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.
Under the Rules there is no penalty if a player accidentally causes his ball to move in the following circumstances:
• In searching for a ball in a hazard covered by loose impediments or sand, for a ball in an abnormal ground condition or for a ball believed to be in water in a water hazard — Rule 12-1
• In repairing a hole plug or ball mark — Rule 16-1c
• In measuring — Rule 18-6
• In lifting a ball under a Rule — Rule 20-1
• In placing or replacing a ball under a Rule — Rule 20-3a
• In removing a loose impediment on the putting green — Rule 23-1
• In removing movable obstructions — Rule 24-1.
b. Ball Moving After Address
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.

Decision 18/2 Ball Oscillates During Address


Q. In addressing the ball, a player accidentally causes the ball to oscillate, but it returns to its original position. Has the ball “moved”?

A. No.

Decision 18-2a/19 Ball Moved Accidentally by Practice Swing Prior to Tee Shot


Q. Before playing from the teeing ground, a player took a practice swing, in the course of which he accidentally struck and moved the teed ball with his club. Did the player play a stroke or incur a penalty?

A. The player did not make a stroke — see Definition of “Stroke.” Since the ball was not in play — see Definition of “Ball in Play” — he incurred no penalty under Rule 18-2a. The player must put a ball into play from the teeing ground.

Decision 18-2a/20 Ball in Play Moved Accidentally by Practice Swing


Q. A player makes a practice swing and accidentally moves his ball in play with his club. Has he made a stroke?

A. No. He had no intention of moving the ball — see Definition of “Stroke.”
However, he incurs a penalty stroke under Rule 18-2a for moving his ball in play, and the ball must be replaced.

Answer 6

There is no penalty. The ball must move. The definition in the rules is as such..: Movement is the ball moving from one place and stopping in another. You could have even made the ball oscillate as long as it didn't come to rest in another position.

Answer 7

It depends on was it on the tee,if yes no penalty,if you are putting,as long as the ball does not move,no penalty,if on the fairway,the ball has to move on its original spot.

Answer 8

it is only a penalty if ball has moved out of its original position. a ball can ossicilate but if it stays in original position there is no penalty

Answer 9

Penalty.

Answer 10

Obviously, there is a difference of opinions above. Hey, have some fun........I tapped a ball addressing it and it fell off the tee. I just turned around and said "tough course"!