[Spiny_Norman]

Apparently there was a strong wind today, that probably contributed.

A question for the golf-knowledgeable: I noticed on the last shot of the Valenzuela match that when Ree was preparing to chip the ball from the fringe of the green, she pushed the club head down on the grass while addressing the ball and the ball moved slightly. I don't think the club touched the ball, it pushed down the grass and that caused the ball to move. If that had been noticed, would that have counted as a shot or have been a one-shot penalty?

Oldalum - did you see the ball clearly change position?  The ball might oscillate and then return to its original position in which case there is no penalty.  Or this decision to the Rules of Golf could have applied:

A player addresses his ball. He observes a slight motion of the ball but believes that it has only oscillated and has not left its original position. He therefore plays the ball as it lies. Later, the Committee becomes aware from television evidence that the ball had in fact left its position and come to rest in another place, although that change of position was such that it was not reasonably discernible to the naked eye at the time of the incident. What is the ruling?

A.The ball is deemed not to have moved and therefore there is no penalty under Rule 18-2. The Definition of "Moved" - when a ball "leaves its position and comes to rest in any other place" - does not contemplate movements of the ball that are only discernible through the use of high definition television or any other form of sophisticated technology.

Otherwise Rule 18-2 is clear.

Except as permitted by the Rules, when a player's ball is in play, if
(i)  the player, his partner or either of their caddies:

•Â  lifts or moves the ball,

•Â  touches it purposely (except with a club in the act of addressing the ball), or

•Â  causes the ball to move, or 

(ii) the 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.

[Spiny_Norman]

Apparently there was a strong wind today, that probably contributed.

A question for the golf-knowledgeable: I noticed on the last shot of the Valenzuela match that when Ree was preparing to chip the ball from the fringe of the green, she pushed the club head down on the grass while addressing the ball and the ball moved slightly. I don't think the club touched the ball, it pushed down the grass and that caused the ball to move. If that had been noticed, would that have counted as a shot or have been a one-shot penalty?

Oldalum - did you see the ball clearly change position?  The ball might oscillate and then return to its original position in which case there is no penalty.  Or this decision to the Rules of Golf could have applied:

A player addresses his ball. He observes a slight motion of the ball but believes that it has only oscillated and has not left its original position. He therefore plays the ball as it lies. Later, the Committee becomes aware from television evidence that the ball had in fact left its position and come to rest in another place, although that change of position was such that it was not reasonably discernible to the naked eye at the time of the incident. What is the ruling?

A.The ball is deemed not to have moved and therefore there is no penalty under Rule 18-2. The Definition of "Moved" - when a ball "leaves its position and comes to rest in any other place" - does not contemplate movements of the ball that are only discernible through the use of high definition television or any other form of sophisticated technology.

Otherwise Rule 18-2 is clear.

Except as permitted by the Rules, when a player's ball is in play, if
(i)  the player, his partner or either of their caddies:

•Â  lifts or moves the ball,

•Â  touches it purposely (except with a club in the act of addressing the ball), or

•Â  causes the ball to move, or 

(ii) the 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.