Golf rules for equipment, Ballmarkers & Co.

The rules of golf are not just about the swing or the course conditions, but also about the correct handling of the equipment and the ball itself. Many of the most common misunderstandings on the course revolve around situations in which the ball is accidentally moved or the equipment comes into play. This article clarifies the most important rules surrounding Ballmarkers, clubs and equipment so that you can react quickly and safely in tricky situations.

Golf rules for marking the ball

‍TheBallmarker is an indispensable tool on the green. It is used to mark the exact position of the ball so that you can pick it up.

• What can I use as a Ballmarker? The rules of golf do not give any strict guidelines here. You can basically use anything as long as it is small and accurately marks the position of the ball. Most commonly used are flat, small coins or special golf markers that are easy to place and remove. A Tee is also possible, but is less commonly used.
• Correct marking: The marker should be placed directly behind the ball before the ball is picked up.
• If the ball is hit by the marker: If your ball accidentally hits a teammate's Ballmarker after Putter, this is now penalty-free. You simply play the ball as it lies.
• If the marker is moved: If the marker is accidentally moved (e.g. by wind or another player), it must be returned to its original position.
• Moving the marker: At the request of another player, you may move your marker so that it is not in his or her line of putt. To restore the original position, you should move the marker one or two putter head lengths to the side and remember the position exactly.

Hit your equipment? This is what the rules of golf say

‍Inthe past, it was a penalty stroke if your ball accidentally hit your own equipment (e.g. the golf club, bag or trolley) after the stroke. Since the 2019 rule revision, this rule has been significantly simplified:

• Hitting your own equipment: if your ball hits your own equipment after the shot, there is no penalty stroke. You simply continue to play the ball as it lies.
• Hitting another player's equipment: This is also penalty-free in counting games and hole games. You can therefore play without hesitation.

The golf balls hit by mistake

‍Oneof the biggest changes in the latest Rules of Golf concerns the accidental movement of the ball.

• Ball moves at address: If you address your ball and it moves accidentally because you have touched it with your club, there is no penalty stroke. You simply have to return the ball to its original position.
• Ball falls off the Tee: If the ball falls off the Tee when you address it, this is also penalty-free.
• Double hit: If the club accidentally hits the ball twice, this only counts as one stroke and there is no additional penalty stroke.

Provisional ball

‍Theprovisional ball rule is an important tool for speeding up the game. You are allowed to play a provisional ball if your original ball could be lost outside a penalty area or out of bounds. If you cannot find the original ball, you must consider the provisional ball to be the ball in play. If you do find the original ball, you must abandon the provisional ball.

Conclusion

‍Moderngolf rules have become much more accommodating in many everyday situations. They mitigate many of the previously penalized inadvertent actions to make the game smoother and fairer. By knowing the rules on equipment, Ballmarkers and accidentally moving balls, you can avoid unnecessary penalty strokes and focus on the essentials: the game of golf itself.