What is the ruling on this ?

Yesterday during a Stableford on the 9th hole (par 3), My Dad chips the ball into the hole from about 30 yards. The ball is however lodged against the flagstick and not at the bottom of the hole. A playing partner who is a non member goes over to the ball and picks the ball out of the hole without taking out the flag. My Dad doesn't see anything of this because he's putting his club back in his bag.

I know you have to take the flag out first and then let the ball drop fully into the hole. But the other guy moved too quickly for me to shout to him what should happen.

What should have happened next ?

A 2 shot penalty seems a bit harsh on my Dad who did nothing wrong himself.

Well this is a knotty one.

Technically the other player gets a two shot penalty for touching a ball still in play (if its not at rest at the bottom of the cup) and your dad should have got to replace the ball where it was. Since the guy was not a fellow competitor I'm not sure how the ruling works. I would say myself that your dad should have gotten the guy to replace the ball. As long as your dad didnt touch it he is ok.

Did you actually get a ruling on it at the time. Of course once the card is signed its official, unfortunately.

D.

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I mentioned this in another post this morning. During the playoff with Daly and Singh at the Houston open. A photographer accidently hit Daly's ball. The announcers said the ruling is that he can place the ball if they know the exact position of the ball before the incident occurred. Unfortunately they did not so he was allowed to drop the ball.

I would say since this is really a 3rd party person like the photographer was, that he could place the ball where it was.

Playing Partner?

18-2: When a player’s ball is in play, if:
(i) the player, his partner or either of their caddies lifts or moves it, touches it purposely (except with a club in the act of addressing it) or causes it to move except as permitted by a Rule, or
(ii) equipment of the player or his partner causes the ball to move, the player incurs a penalty of one stroke. If the ball is moved, it must be replaced unless the movement of the ball occurs after the player has begun the stroke or the backward movement of the club for the stroke and the stroke is made.

So your Dad takes a stroke. I wonder what the other stroke is for?

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