2020 MGA Rules Quiz - Q12

[rogolf]

12. On a par 4, a player misses the fairway with his tee shot and his ball comes to rest behind a dune. A

spectator is standing on top of the dune and has offered to let the player know when the green is

clear. The player and his caddie analyze the shot and use the spectator as an alignment. Standing

directly behind the player, the caddie lines up the player with the spectator and confirms his line of

play as the player addresses the ball and rehearses the shot. The spectator waves to the player

indicating that the green is clear, but before he can move out of the way, the player shouts to the

spectator to stay in position because the spectator is on the player’s line of play. The player takes a

step behind the ball to line himself up one more time. The spectator stays in place and the player

plays directly over the spectator’s head. The ball lands on the green. The player takes two putts.

What is his score for the hole?

A. 4

B. 6

C. 8

D. 10

 

[antip]

For me, this is a single breach of 10.2b(1), general penalty, as the player explicitly asked the spectator to stay where the player said is on his line of play and then plays the shot. So B and score of 6.

[Mr. Bean]

I agree with antip but again criticize the lack of information in the question. Nowhere it is said that the caddie moved away and that could be a crucial point in making a ruling. One can only assume the caddie moved away as there was that spectator in place but there is no other hint nor real information.

Well, there is another question to come where I was not able to choose the answer as there was simply not enough information. No problem, the purpose of this exercise is to get one's brain working and to dust the Old Book

[antip]

You make a good observation on the caddie not being reported on further after initially being in a "could be a problem" situation. With a number of these questions there can be more than one answer depending on exactly how the information deficit is filled. That is not a Rules Quiz, it is a lottery.

[limegreengent]

Have you ever seen an MGA question that was simple?

Therefore a different view point.

The player did not initially, or at any time, position the spectator to indicate the line of play which , if done , would immediately place a requirement on the player to ensure that the spectator move.10.2b

What he did do subsequently ,was to ask the spectator to stay still and not to move.

In interpretation 10.2b(5)/2/1 , a close relative of this rule, the player is allowed to ask a spectator not to move in order to preserve physical protection from the elements. Maintain his status quo.

Although this involves a different rule -

Is this not analogous i.e

That all the player is ensuring is that the conditions affecting his stroke are preserved, . the conditions that were present when his previous stroke came to rest are not altered..??

[limegreengent]

Have you ever seen an MGA question that was simple?

Therefore a different view point.

The player did not initially, or at any time, position the spectator to indicate the line of play which , if done , would immediately place a requirement on the player to ensure that the spectator move.10.2b

What he did do subsequently ,was to ask the spectator to stay still and not to move.

In interpretation 10.2b(5)/2/1 , a close relative of this rule, the player is allowed to ask a spectator not to move in order to preserve physical protection from the elements. Maintain his status quo.

Although this involves a different rule -

Is this not analogous i.e

That all the player is ensuring is that the physical conditions affecting his stroke are preserved, . the conditions that were present when his previous stroke came to rest are not altered..??

[Mr. Bean]

Nice catch, you just might be right!

[Newby]

#12 A Interpretation 10.2b(5)/1