Ever seen a player playing hockey with their golf ball when they’re replacing it after taking relief?
They’ll use their club to roll it into position – saving themselves bending down if they’re taking, for example, winter rules.
How many of you have done that in a competition and didn’t realise you were breaking the rules?
But where does it say in the book that this is forbidden? Let’s jump right in…
Can I replace a golf ball with my club?
Rule 14.2b (2) reveals how a ball must be replaced when a ball is lifted and required to be replaced on a spot. You must set it down by hand and let it go so it stays on that spot.
That is reaffirmed in the definition of replace so, if you’re doing this with a club, stop it right now. You’ve not replaced the ball in the right way and you’ll incur a penalty shot if you don’t correct the mistake before making a stroke.
Got a question for our expert?
Despite the changes to the Rules of Golf in 2019 and 2023, there are still some that leave us scratching our heads. I’ll try to help by featuring the best of your queries in this column.
What do you think about these replace a golf ball rules? Let me know by leaving a comment on X.
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