I accidentally picked up my match-play partner’s ball. Now what?

The Rules of Golf are tough! Thankfully, we’ve acquired the guru. Our Rules Guy is aware of the ebook entrance to again. Got a query? He’s acquired all of the solutions.

In a senior match-play competitors, my associate and I have been every searching for our golf ball. I discovered one simply as torrential rain began to come back down. I shouted to get my associate’s consideration, however he didn’t hear me. I picked up the ball and moved on. When I acquired to him, I realized he was nonetheless searching for his ball. He recognized the one I’d picked up as his. As it had been a real mistake, I recommended changing it the place I’d discovered it however was instructed by the opposition that he was out of the opening. Was this the right ruling? Does it matter if play had been halted as a result of climate previous to my mistake? —Francisco Javier Sanchez-Garcia

Francisco Javier, there’s lots to unpack right here, but not sufficient info to make a definitive ruling — however your query is an excellent leaping-off level.

At a primary degree, if the ball was merely lifted by you, not for identification, your associate will get one penalty stroke and the ball should be changed, per Rule 9.4. In this occasion, lack of gap shouldn’t be the penalty and, no, the state of affairs doesn’t change if play was suspended.

Going ahead, contemplate yelling louder, getting your associate some listening to aids, marking the ball first, and many others. and many others. and many others.

For extra match-play steerage from our guru, learn on …

In a four-ball match, my associate hits the flawed golf ball. Our opponents declare we lose the opening. I say my associate is out of the opening, however I’m allowed to play my ball. What does Rules Guy say? —Jacob Danquart, Denmark

As it occurs, Jacob, Rules Guy collects Danish Modern furnishings and would have beloved a query about Hans Wegner or Finn Juhl. (We know our rosewood from our teak.)

Anyway, RG agrees with you. In four-ball, when a participant performs the flawed ball, the associate is rarely penalized — even when it was the associate’s ball, and even when the associate acquired some type of assist, akin to seeing the roll or bounce.

The exception to Rule 23.8a(2) informs us that the offending participant will get a loss-of-hole penalty, however the associate will get no penalty and might combat on for the aspect.

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