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December - 2012 Oddly, in the last month, I've seen this happen twice to other groups wandering back and forth seeking their tree-bound tee shots. Between the fourth and the fifth holes and the sixteenth and seventeenth holes, players driving carts looking for their balls both managed to run over it, (each time popping the ball into the air) before they see it. It happens, just not too often. Usually this is accompanied by laughter and good bit of teasing by anyone in the area. Although I got a good laugh both times, the problem is under the Rules of Golf, the Definition of "Equipment" causes this jolly episode to turn into a penalty situation. Decision 18/8, Ball Moved by Golf Cart Shared by Two Players, explains the problem: 18/8
Under the Definition of "Equipment," equipment includes a golf cart, whether or not motorized. If two or more players share a golf cart, the cart and everything in it are deemed to be the equipment of one of the players sharing the cart. If the cart is being moved by one of the players (or the partner of one of the players) sharing it, the cart and everything in it are deemed to be that player's equipment. Otherwise, the cart and everything in it are deemed to be the equipment of the player sharing the cart whose ball (or whose partner's ball) is involved. Thus, for example, in a singles match, if A and B are sharing a cart and the cart moves A's ball which was at rest, A would be penalized one stroke if he was driving or pulling the cart (Rule 18-2a). B would be penalized one stroke if he was driving or pulling the cart (Rule 18-3b), unless the incident occurred during search (Rule 18-3a). A corresponding Decision (19/1) covers Deflection: BALL IN MOTION DEFLECTED OR STOPPED: GENERALL 19/1
Under the Definition of "Equipment," equipment includes a golf cart, whether or not motorized. If two or more players share a golf cart, the cart and everything in it are deemed to be the equipment of one of the players sharing the cart. If the cart is being moved by one of the players (or the partner of one of the players) sharing it, the cart and everything in it are deemed to be that player's equipment. Otherwise, the cart and everything in it are deemed to be the equipment of the player sharing the cart whose ball (or whose partner's ball) is involved. Thus, for example, in a singles match, if A and B are sharing a cart and A's ball in motion is deflected or stopped by the cart, A incurs a penalty of one stroke (Rule 19-2) unless the cart is being driven or pulled by B when the incident occurs. If B is driving or pulling the cart, there is no penalty, and A would have the option of playing his ball as it lies or replaying the stroke (Rule 19-3). Moral; tread lightly searching for a lost ball… Derek Duesler |