[Golf Rules... Knowledge Is Power] When Balls Are Lying Side by Side

Mark and pick up the ball after applying 15.3b
Penalty if ball is cleaned; lift carefully with fingers
If a large divot occurs, place within 1 club length

Golf has no referees. It is a "gentleman's sport" where golfers play by following the rules themselves. The golf rules are "assistants" created to help with play. If you know them well and use them appropriately, they can greatly help with score management. These are golf rules that weekend golfers must know.

During a round, there may be cases where a companion's ball lies right next to yours. Of course, the probability of this happening is not high. Action is required to proceed with the next play. Golf Rule 15.3b applies. If a stationary player's ball interferes with your stance or swing, you may mark the spot and lift the ball. If the other player requests it, you must comply.

Marking and lifting the golf ball and then cleaning it is not allowed. You should not put it in your pocket either. This could be interpreted as cleaning the ball. You can see this in scenes from tour players during tournaments. They carefully hold the ball with their fingers. They do this to avoid being misunderstood as breaking the rules.

If you fail to mark the spot before cleaning or lifting the ball, you will receive a one-stroke penalty. Sometimes the balls are so close that the marker interferes. In this case, Golf Rule 15.3c is used. You use a long club to move the ball to a new spot.

A large divot was created due to a shot by a playing partner. The spot where the ball was placed is completely destroyed. This time, relief is granted under Golf Rule 14.2d(2). When the lie has changed, you look for a new position for the ball. Place the ball at the nearest spot within one club length from the original position that most closely resembles the original lie. It must not be closer to the hole.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.