Rule 22 – Ball Assisting or Interfering with Play

2010-09-14

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Tip provided by: Golf Academy of America.

Sometimes your ball will come to rest in a position where it may interfere with another player’s play, or, in rare cases, the ball may be in a position where it possibly could assist the play of another player. What are the player’s rights in such circumstances?
 
The Rule itself is broken down into two separate components which are each dealt with differently. The first is a ball assisting play which is dealt with rather firmly because it describes what could potentially be a situation where a player is gaining an advantage.
            
An example of this situation is where a player’s ball has come to rest very near the hole, and if left there, could provide a backstop or deflection into the hole for another player’s ball. Rule 22-1 states that a player may: a.) lift the ball if it is his ball or b.) have any other ball lifted.
 
If the Committee determines that competitors have agreed not to lift a ball that may assist another competitor, they are disqualified.
 
The second type of situation that can occur under this rule is when a ball is interfering with play. Except when a ball is in motion, if a player considers that another ball might interfere with his play, he may have that ball lifted.

There are two important points to consider when operating under this rule: first, the lifted ball must not be cleaned (unless of course, the ball lies on the putting green). Secondly, and again, except when the ball lies on the putting green, a player must not lift his ball solely because he thinks it may interfere with the play of another ball. If a player in these circumstances lifts his ball without being asked to do so, he incurs a penalty of one stroke for a breach of Rule 18-2.
 
If a player is required to lift his ball under this rule, and the lie is altered as a result of the other player’s shot, the player may restore the lie to its original condition.
 
While golfers should certainly be familiar with all the rules, they should pay particular attention to those rules that can result in disqualification. Rule 22 is one of those rules!