Rule of the Week - 19-5/1.7

19-5/1.7 Ball Dropped on Putting Green by Opponent or Fellow-Competitor Falls on Player's Moving Ball

Q: A makes a stroke on the putting green. B, A's opponent or a fellow-competitor, accidentally drops his ball, which he had lifted, and it falls on A's ball, which is still in motion. What is the ruling?

A:In match play, since A's ball was deflected by B's equipment (see Note 1 under Definition of "Equipment"), Rule 19-3 applies. A has the option of playing his ball as it lies or canceling and replaying the stroke. Neither A nor B incurs a penalty.

In stroke play, A's ball was deflected by a moving outside agency. Therefore, A must cancel and replay his stroke, without penalty, under Rule 19-1b. B incurs no penalty.

In either form of play, B must replace his ball on the spot from which it was lifted -- Rule 20-3a.

Rule 19-5b does not apply because B's ball was not in motion after a stroke. (Revised)

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