Leafy Issue

[Quasimoto]

In a non-completion round today my ball came to rest on the green on top of a large leaf.

What would be the correct way to approach marking this ball?

I slightly lifted the ball and pulled the leaf out then marked it but I would like to know if this is acceptable procedure.

Thanks

[Halebopp]

There's no penalty if you remove loose impediments and your ball on the green moves because of it. But you can't lift the ball without marking it first. To avoid any appearance of evil, you should mark the position of the ball to a direction that gets the ball marker outside of the leaf using the same procedure you'd use when moving a marker away from someone else's line of play. Just reverse the procedure when replacing the ball.

[antip]

Hale offers good advice. But the rules are very tolerant here - there is no penalty for just charging in and moving the leaf and then replacing the ball on your best estimate of the spot it was on if it moved. There is no requirement under the rules to mark the ball before attempting to move the leaf but it could be a helpful way to ensure you get back on the right spot after the leaf is moved.

[Mr. Bean]

From the pace of play and simplicity point of view just grab the leaf, remove it and replace the ball as accurately as you can. No need for any sophisticated actions here as there is no penalty if the ball (on the putting green) moves when a loose impediment is removed.

[Sawgrass]

Make sure you don't purposefully pick up the ball (without marking it) until AFTER the removal of the leaf moves the ball!

[cristphoto]

I'd just stab the leaf with a tee, move the ball, rip the leaf away, replace the ball and then mark normally.  I say this as I've never had that scenario and I can't see anyone calling me out on it.  

[Mr. Bean]

5 hours ago, cristphoto said:

I'd just stab the leaf with a tee, move the ball, rip the leaf away, replace the ball and then mark normally.  I say this as I've never had that scenario and I can't see anyone calling me out on it.  

 

I wonder if that is the correct way. After all, R13.1b requires a ball on the green to be marked before it is lifted, and stabbing a leaf, whatever if means, may not be an approved way to mark a ball.

 

I also wonder how anyone could have called you out on it as you have never had that situation, as you say in your own words.

Edited October 16, 2020 by Mr. Bean

[Augster]

2 hours ago, Mr. Bean said:

 

I wonder if that is the correct way. After all, R13.1b requires a ball on the green to be marked before it is lifted, and stabbing a leaf, whatever if means, may not be an approved way to mark a ball.

 

I also wonder how anyone could have called you out on it as you have never had that situation, as you say in your own words.

He is describing marking his ball by stabbing a tee through the leaf. The ball is marked with the tee. Lift the ball, tear away the leaf, replace the ball, remove the tee. 
 

This absolutely works and is a legal way to do it. 

[cristphoto]

5 minutes ago, Augster said:

He is describing marking his ball by stabbing a tee through the leaf. The ball is marked with the tee. Lift the ball, tear away the leaf, replace the ball, remove the tee. 
 

This absolutely works and is a legal way to do it. 

 

Thank you.

[cristphoto]

2 hours ago, Mr. Bean said:

 

I wonder if that is the correct way. After all, R13.1b requires a ball on the green to be marked before it is lifted, and stabbing a leaf, whatever if means, may not be an approved way to mark a ball.

 

I also wonder how anyone could have called you out on it as you have never had that situation, as you say in your own words.

 

As I said I have never had this situation but I described the procedure I would use. So if I was called out on it I would argue my point.  I might not have worded it clearly in first post.