The R&A and the USGA today announced the introduction of a new Local Rule that eliminates the penalty when a ball is accidentally moved on the putting green.
The R&A and the USGA today announced the introduction of a new Local Rule that eliminates the penalty when a ball is accidentally moved on the putting green.
The decision essentially reverses the ruling which could have cost Dustin Johnson his US Open crown earlier this year.
Johnson was docked a shot after his ball was deemed to have moved mere millimetres when he grounded his putter during a practice swing, although he was forced to play much of his final round unaware of his actual score.
From the 1 January 2017 a local rule will be available to all club committees enabling them to deem that any ball moving accidentally on the green can be replaced without penalty. It will be adopted by both The R&A and the USGA and has been welcomed by all major golf tours including the PGA TOUR, European Tour and LPGA.
If a Committee wishes to introduce this Local Rule, the following wording is recommended:
“Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1 are modified as follows: When a player’s ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player, his partner, his opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment.''
The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced as provided in Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1.
This Local Rule applies only when the player’s ball or ball-marker lies on the putting green and any movement is accidental.
For more information about the new Local Rule, including explanatory diagrams, videos and a detailed question-and-answer document, please visit www.RandA.org
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