If the line on my ball gets smudged, can I swap in a new ball mid-hole?

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I’ve at all times drawn a line on my ball to assist with placing. If a shot smears that line, is it thought of a broken ball that I can substitute it instantly or should I wait till I’ve completed the gap?
—Don Kent, Anthem, Ariz.

Don, your repute would even be smeared if you happen to tried to get away with substitute a ball on account of such smudging, which underneath Rule 4.2 doesn’t provide you with the proper to take action.

For extra ball-marking steering from our guru, learn on …

In the center of our season-ending beginner event, it was dropped at my consideration that my teeing approach could also be in violation of the guidelines. When inserting my peg in the floor, I put my proper foot behind the ball to assist me arrange the ball’s alignment-aid line on my meant line. I step straight again, double-check, repeat the course of if a repair is required, after which take my shot. Am I a lawbreaker or in the clear? —Scott Higginbotham, by way of e mail

If you’re simply standing behind the ball and utilizing your shoe to verify the ball’s alignment, Scott, that’s okay.

If as a substitute you’re creating some sort of mark on the floor that’s serving to you align the ball and/or take your stance, you’re violating Rule 10.2b(3) — the upshot of which is that gamers are liable for aligning themselves, and the penalty for which is the normal penalty: two strokes in stroke play and lack of gap in match play. That’s virtually as dangerous as having two left ft.

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Got a query about the Rules? Ask the Rules Guy! Send your queries, confusions and feedback to rulesguy@golf.com. We promise he gained’t throw the e-book at you.