Parnevik penalized for not taking a 'mulligan' (well, sort of)

OK, so Parnevik was putting close to the hole for bogey, it lips out and hits his shoe, and he taps in for double, he thought. Then he is told he gets a 2-stroke penalty but makes only triple? So the rule is if you 'accidentally' hit an animal, player, or immovable object, the original shot doesn't count and must be replayed from original position. Since he didn't, the tap-in counted, the original shot didn't, and 2 strokes added on. I believe this is the same rule that a few weeks back a rules official on Euro PGATour chased down Paul Casey into the scoring tent to show him close up video of his putt, that a bug walked into the line of his putt and the ball nearly hit the bug.....and if it did, it would have been considered 'an animal' and fall under that rule. The distinction that rules guy made at the time was if Paul 'intentionally' tried to hit the bug. He should have said, yes, I'm that good, I'm trying to hit an 1/8-inch bug and ricochet my ball towards the hole. What about a 'leaf' that blows into your putting line and the ball hits the leaf (I know, a leaf is not any of the things identified in that rule above).... if it goes in does it count? If not, then if it hits a leaf and doesn't go in do you get to replay?

[golfwrx.com/577728/jesper-parnevik-handed-a-two-stroke-penalty-at-the-sas-championship-for-not-taking-a-mulligan/?utm_source=Front&utm_medium=Blogroll_Home&utm_campaign=GolfWRX_OnSite&utm_content=unused](http://www.golfwrx.com/577728/jesper-parnevik-handed-a-two-stroke-penalty-at-the-sas-championship-for-not-taking-a-mulligan/?utm_source=Front&utm_medium=Blogroll_Home&utm_campaign=GolfWRX_OnSite&utm_content=unused "golfwrx.com/577728/jesper-parnevik-handed-a-two-stroke-penalty-at-the-sas-championship-for-not-taking-a-mulligan/?utm_source=Front&utm_medium=Blogroll_Home&utm_campaign=GolfWRX_OnSite&utm_content=unused")

> @bulls9999 said:

> What about a 'leaf' that blows into your putting line and the ball hits the leaf (I know, a leaf is not any of the things identified in that rule above).... if it goes in does it count? If not, then if it hits a leaf and doesn't go in do you get to replay?

>

First, as you say, a "leaf" doesn't fit the description in the rule, which is:

> Exception 2 – When Ball Played from Putting Green Accidentally Hits **Any Person, Animal or Movable Obstruction **(Including Another Ball in Motion) on Putting Green: The stroke does not count and the original ball or another ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2), except in these two cases:

But if it hits a Movable Obstruction, a cigarette butt perhaps that blows into your line, and goes in, you must replay the shot, with no penalty. If it hits a Movable Obstruction and doesn't go in, you must replay the shot, with no penalty. The rule is the same, no matter where the shot ends up after hitting the person, animal, or movable obstruction.

There are two writings on this topic, the rule and an Interpretation. Here is the relevant exception to Rule 11.1, and following that the Interpretation:

Rule 11.1b:

Exception 2 – When Ball Played from Putting Green Accidentally Hits Any Person, Animal or Movable Obstruction (Including Another Ball in Motion) on Putting Green: The stroke does not count and the original ball or another ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2), except in these two cases:

Ball in Motion Hits Another Ball at Rest or Ball-Marker on Putting Green. The stroke counts and the ball must be played as it lies. (See Rule 11.1a for whether a penalty applies in stroke play).

Ball in Motion Accidentally Hits Flagstick or Person Attending Flagstick. This is covered by Rule 13.2b(2), not by this Rule.

Interpretation for Rule 11.1b:

1. How To Apply Exception 2 to Rule 11.1b:

Exception 2 to Rule 11.1b is to be applied using the “known or virtually certain” standard. Therefore, if there is knowledge or conclusive evidence that the ball played from the putting green accidentally hit a person, animal or movable obstruction on the putting green, the stroke does not count. (Added 12/2018)

2. Living Insects Are Animals:

Exception 2 to Rule 11.1b applies to living insects since they are animals. (Added 12/2018)

IMO there was a good deal of confusion several weeks ago with that "bug ruling." The pro reported to the press that he ended up avoiding penalty for not replaying the stroke since he didn't "knowingly" hit the bug. "Knowingly" is ambiguous in this context. I don't know if the pro got it wrong or was misinterpreted by others but the rule indicates that you must replay if you "know" (or are virtually certain) that the ball actually hit the bug. It doesn't mean you have to intentionally try to hit the bug.

BTW moving leaves, while in 2018 would have been an issue when putting, are not "people, animals or movable obstructions" so they don't count. It's also important to know that if a ball struck from the green accidentally hits the person tending the flagstick, the ball is played as it lies -- that's a different deal than when it accidentally hits someone else.

I personally dislike the use of the word mulligan in this context.

Anyhoo, the same thing happened to Sergio in a match play tournament earlier this year but it went unnoticed by everyone involved.

https://www.pgatour.com/video/2019/03/30/sergio-garcia_s-double-bogey-on-no--7-at-wgc-dell-match-play.html

Pardon my ignorance but I was always under the assumption that your ball could not hit yourself anywhere on the course. I really need to study that book.

> @chippa13 said:

> I really need to study that book.

Start here: https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/rules-of-golf/rules-and-interpretations.html#!ruletype=fr&section=rule&rulenum=11

> @chippa13 said:

> Pardon my ignorance but I was always under the assumption that your ball could not hit yourself anywhere on the course. I really need to study that book.

I think you should remember that a lot of the rules changed in January. ;)

> @Halebopp said:

> I personally dislike the use of the word mulligan in this context.

>

> Anyhoo, the same thing happened to Sergio in a match play tournament earlier this year but it went unnoticed by everyone involved.

>

> https://www.pgatour.com/video/2019/03/30/sergio-garcia_s-double-bogey-on-no--7-at-wgc-dell-match-play.html

Only unnoticed at the immediate time. But a few days later there was a growing tsunami of awareness and realization about the full ramifications of 11.1b Exception 2. I suggest by now referees everywhere are alert to this strange quirk that 2019's current framework has brought.

> @Sawgrass said:

> There are two writings on this topic, the rule and an Interpretation. Here is the relevant exception to Rule 11.1, and following that the Interpretation:

>

> Rule 11.1b:

>

> Exception 2 – When Ball Played from Putting Green Accidentally Hits Any Person, Animal or Movable Obstruction (Including Another Ball in Motion) on Putting Green: The stroke does not count and the original ball or another ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2), except in these two cases:

>

> Ball in Motion Hits Another Ball at Rest or Ball-Marker on Putting Green. The stroke counts and the ball must be played as it lies. (See Rule 11.1a for whether a penalty applies in stroke play).

>

> Ball in Motion Accidentally Hits Flagstick or Person Attending Flagstick. This is covered by Rule 13.2b(2), not by this Rule.

>

>

>

> Interpretation for Rule 11.1b:

>

> 1. How To Apply Exception 2 to Rule 11.1b:

> Exception 2 to Rule 11.1b is to be applied using the “known or virtually certain” standard. Therefore, if there is knowledge or conclusive evidence that the ball played from the putting green accidentally hit a person, animal or movable obstruction on the putting green, the stroke does not count. (Added 12/2018)

> 2. Living Insects Are Animals:

> Exception 2 to Rule 11.1b applies to living insects since they are animals. (Added 12/2018)

>

>

> IMO there was a good deal of confusion several weeks ago with that "bug ruling." The pro reported to the press that he ended up avoiding penalty for not replaying the stroke since he didn't "knowingly" hit the bug. "Knowingly" is ambiguous in this context. I don't know if the pro got it wrong or was misinterpreted by others but the rule indicates that you must replay if you "know" (or are virtually certain) that the ball actually hit the bug. It doesn't mean you have to intentionally try to hit the bug.

>

> BTW moving leaves, while in 2018 would have been an issue when putting, are not "people, animals or movable obstructions" so they don't count. It's also important to know that if a ball struck from the green accidentally hits the person tending the flagstick, the ball is played as it lies -- that's a different deal than when it accidentally hits someone else.

Moving leaves still do count. If a moving leaf hits and moves your ball, it’s a replay.

A leaf in motion is a “moving outside influence”. 11.1b-exception 1

Years ago, National Lampoon put out a publication, "Official Exceptions to the Rules of Golf" and they identified a GILLIGAN.

You invoke "Gilligan" when you declare a "mulligan" and your "mulligan" is much worse than your first shot that gave rise to the need to try a "mulligan." You play the first ball, and you save your "mulligan" to be declared on another hole...

> @Augster said:

> > @Sawgrass said:

> > There are two writings on this topic, the rule and an Interpretation. Here is the relevant exception to Rule 11.1, and following that the Interpretation:

> >

> > Rule 11.1b:

> >

> > Exception 2 – When Ball Played from Putting Green Accidentally Hits Any Person, Animal or Movable Obstruction (Including Another Ball in Motion) on Putting Green: The stroke does not count and the original ball or another ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2), except in these two cases:

> >

> > Ball in Motion Hits Another Ball at Rest or Ball-Marker on Putting Green. The stroke counts and the ball must be played as it lies. (See Rule 11.1a for whether a penalty applies in stroke play).

> >

> > Ball in Motion Accidentally Hits Flagstick or Person Attending Flagstick. This is covered by Rule 13.2b(2), not by this Rule.

> >

> >

> >

> > Interpretation for Rule 11.1b:

> >

> > 1. How To Apply Exception 2 to Rule 11.1b:

> > Exception 2 to Rule 11.1b is to be applied using the “known or virtually certain” standard. Therefore, if there is knowledge or conclusive evidence that the ball played from the putting green accidentally hit a person, animal or movable obstruction on the putting green, the stroke does not count. (Added 12/2018)

> > 2. Living Insects Are Animals:

> > Exception 2 to Rule 11.1b applies to living insects since they are animals. (Added 12/2018)

> >

> >

> > IMO there was a good deal of confusion several weeks ago with that "bug ruling." The pro reported to the press that he ended up avoiding penalty for not replaying the stroke since he didn't "knowingly" hit the bug. "Knowingly" is ambiguous in this context. I don't know if the pro got it wrong or was misinterpreted by others but the rule indicates that you must replay if you "know" (or are virtually certain) that the ball actually hit the bug. It doesn't mean you have to intentionally try to hit the bug.

> >

> > BTW moving leaves, while in 2018 would have been an issue when putting, are not "people, animals or movable obstructions" so they don't count. It's also important to know that if a ball struck from the green accidentally hits the person tending the flagstick, the ball is played as it lies -- that's a different deal than when it accidentally hits someone else.

>

> Moving leaves still do count. If a moving leaf hits and moves your ball, it’s a replay.

>

> A leaf in motion is a “moving outside influence”. 11.1b-exception 1

>

That rule does not address a ball glancing off a moving outside influence, but rather coming to rest on one. And in any case, the stroke is not cancelled under that rule.

> @Augster said:

> > @Sawgrass said:

> > There are two writings on this topic, the rule and an Interpretation. Here is the relevant exception to Rule 11.1, and following that the Interpretation:

> >

> > Rule 11.1b:

> >

> > Exception 2 – When Ball Played from Putting Green Accidentally Hits Any Person, Animal or Movable Obstruction (Including Another Ball in Motion) on Putting Green: The stroke does not count and the original ball or another ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2), except in these two cases:

> >

> > Ball in Motion Hits Another Ball at Rest or Ball-Marker on Putting Green. The stroke counts and the ball must be played as it lies. (See Rule 11.1a for whether a penalty applies in stroke play).

> >

> > Ball in Motion Accidentally Hits Flagstick or Person Attending Flagstick. This is covered by Rule 13.2b(2), not by this Rule.

> >

> >

> >

> > Interpretation for Rule 11.1b:

> >

> > 1. How To Apply Exception 2 to Rule 11.1b:

> > Exception 2 to Rule 11.1b is to be applied using the “known or virtually certain” standard. Therefore, if there is knowledge or conclusive evidence that the ball played from the putting green accidentally hit a person, animal or movable obstruction on the putting green, the stroke does not count. (Added 12/2018)

> > 2. Living Insects Are Animals:

> > Exception 2 to Rule 11.1b applies to living insects since they are animals. (Added 12/2018)

> >

> >

> > IMO there was a good deal of confusion several weeks ago with that "bug ruling." The pro reported to the press that he ended up avoiding penalty for not replaying the stroke since he didn't "knowingly" hit the bug. "Knowingly" is ambiguous in this context. I don't know if the pro got it wrong or was misinterpreted by others but the rule indicates that you must replay if you "know" (or are virtually certain) that the ball actually hit the bug. It doesn't mean you have to intentionally try to hit the bug.

> >

> > BTW moving leaves, while in 2018 would have been an issue when putting, are not "people, animals or movable obstructions" so they don't count. It's also important to know that if a ball struck from the green accidentally hits the person tending the flagstick, the ball is played as it lies -- that's a different deal than when it accidentally hits someone else.

>

> Moving leaves still do count. If a moving leaf hits and moves your ball, it’s a replay.

>

> A leaf in motion is a “moving outside influence”. 11.1b-exception 1

>

Exception 1 only applies to a ball played from anywhere EXCEPT the putting green. On the putting green, moving ball coming into contact with moving loose impediment such as leaf is stroke counts and play as lies, regardless of the outcome. This is one of the more significant changes in 2019 and it has already bitten on the pro tours.

I often wonder how I could read something like that so wrong. Very interesting.

Not that it happens very often. But right now all the leaves are coming down and playing in a 20mph wind most every time out will make this more likely.

Thanks for the clarification.

> @Halebopp said:

> I personally dislike the use of the word mulligan in this context.

>

> Anyhoo, the same thing happened to Sergio in a match play tournament earlier this year but it went unnoticed by everyone involved.

>

> https://www.pgatour.com/video/2019/03/30/sergio-garcia_s-double-bogey-on-no--7-at-wgc-dell-match-play.html

IIRC, Sergio had already lost the hole (match play) so it didn't matter that the ball hit his foot.

BT

> @Ri_Redneck said:

> > @Halebopp said:

> > I personally dislike the use of the word mulligan in this context.

> >

> > Anyhoo, the same thing happened to Sergio in a match play tournament earlier this year but it went unnoticed by everyone involved.

> >

> > https://www.pgatour.com/video/2019/03/30/sergio-garcia_s-double-bogey-on-no--7-at-wgc-dell-match-play.html

>

> IIRC, Sergio had already lost the hole (match play) so it didn't matter that the ball hit his foot.

>

> BT

Nope, the missed tap-in was to tie the hole. (You can check the video in the link)

> @bulls9999 said:

> OK, so Parnevik was putting close to the hole for bogey, it lips out and hits his shoe, and he taps in for double, he thought. Then he is told he gets a 2-stroke penalty but makes only triple? So the rule is if you 'accidentally' hit an animal, player, or immovable object, the original shot doesn't count and must be replayed from original position. Since he didn't, the tap-in counted, the original shot didn't, and 2 strokes added on. I believe this is the same rule that a few weeks back a rules official on Euro PGATour chased down Paul Casey into the scoring tent to show him close up video of his putt, that a bug walked into the line of his putt and the ball nearly hit the bug.....and if it did, it would have been considered 'an animal' and fall under that rule. **The distinction that rules guy made at the time was if Paul 'intentionally' tried to hit the bug.**

>

I saw a video of the interview and I need to correct that one. The chief referee John Paramor showed the video to Casey and asked if he had noticed he had hit the insect. As he had not Paramor let him off the hook as it was an incident 'not viewable by naked eye'. Had Casey seen his ball hit the insect and not acted upon he would have been penalized.

> @"Mr. Bean" said:

> > @bulls9999 said:

> > OK, so Parnevik was putting close to the hole for bogey, it lips out and hits his shoe, and he taps in for double, he thought. Then he is told he gets a 2-stroke penalty but makes only triple? So the rule is if you 'accidentally' hit an animal, player, or immovable object, the original shot doesn't count and must be replayed from original position. Since he didn't, the tap-in counted, the original shot didn't, and 2 strokes added on. I believe this is the same rule that a few weeks back a rules official on Euro PGATour chased down Paul Casey into the scoring tent to show him close up video of his putt, that a bug walked into the line of his putt and the ball nearly hit the bug.....and if it did, it would have been considered 'an animal' and fall under that rule. **The distinction that rules guy made at the time was if Paul 'intentionally' tried to hit the bug.**

> >

>

> I saw a video of the interview and I need to correct that one. The chief referee John Paramor showed the video to Casey and asked if he had noticed he had hit the insect. As he had not Paramor let him off the hook as it was an incident 'not viewable by naked eye'. Had Casey seen his ball hit the insect and not acted upon he would have been penalized.

It was also, from Casey’s perspective, not virtually certain to have happened, as is required.

> @Sawgrass said:

> > @"Mr. Bean" said:

> > > @bulls9999 said:

> > > OK, so Parnevik was putting close to the hole for bogey, it lips out and hits his shoe, and he taps in for double, he thought. Then he is told he gets a 2-stroke penalty but makes only triple? So the rule is if you 'accidentally' hit an animal, player, or immovable object, the original shot doesn't count and must be replayed from original position. Since he didn't, the tap-in counted, the original shot didn't, and 2 strokes added on. I believe this is the same rule that a few weeks back a rules official on Euro PGATour chased down Paul Casey into the scoring tent to show him close up video of his putt, that a bug walked into the line of his putt and the ball nearly hit the bug.....and if it did, it would have been considered 'an animal' and fall under that rule. **The distinction that rules guy made at the time was if Paul 'intentionally' tried to hit the bug.**

> > >

> >

> > I saw a video of the interview and I need to correct that one. The chief referee John Paramor showed the video to Casey and asked if he had noticed he had hit the insect. As he had not Paramor let him off the hook as it was an incident 'not viewable by naked eye'. Had Casey seen his ball hit the insect and not acted upon he would have been penalized.

>

> It was also, from Casey’s perspective, not virtually certain to have happened, as is required.

Maybe so. What I heard from the video was that Casey said that he had not seen any insect. Well, no matter, ruling was made by one of the truly great referees so I trust him to be right.

> @"Mr. Bean" said:

> > @Sawgrass said:

> > > @"Mr. Bean" said:

> > > > @bulls9999 said:

> > > > OK, so Parnevik was putting close to the hole for bogey, it lips out and hits his shoe, and he taps in for double, he thought. Then he is told he gets a 2-stroke penalty but makes only triple? So the rule is if you 'accidentally' hit an animal, player, or immovable object, the original shot doesn't count and must be replayed from original position. Since he didn't, the tap-in counted, the original shot didn't, and 2 strokes added on. I believe this is the same rule that a few weeks back a rules official on Euro PGATour chased down Paul Casey into the scoring tent to show him close up video of his putt, that a bug walked into the line of his putt and the ball nearly hit the bug.....and if it did, it would have been considered 'an animal' and fall under that rule. **The distinction that rules guy made at the time was if Paul 'intentionally' tried to hit the bug.**

> > > >

> > >

> > > I saw a video of the interview and I need to correct that one. The chief referee John Paramor showed the video to Casey and asked if he had noticed he had hit the insect. As he had not Paramor let him off the hook as it was an incident 'not viewable by naked eye'. Had Casey seen his ball hit the insect and not acted upon he would have been penalized.

> >

> > It was also, from Casey’s perspective, not virtually certain to have happened, as is required.

>

> Maybe so. What I heard from the video was that Casey said that he had not seen any insect. Well, no matter, ruling was made by one of the truly great referees so I trust him to be right.

Note 12/18 Clarification 11.1b.