Crazy rules question.

[Cvoege]

My friends ball went into a green-side bunker in front of the green with his second on a par 4. I then hit my shot after him. In some sort of a crazy coincidence my ball struck his ball, which was on the up slope, and plugged it into the bunker. Is my partner allowed to reach in and replace the ball the way it was or would that be testing the bunker? Would he have to play it plugged? From Colton

[KevCarter]

[color="#474747"][size="2"]
[b]Rule 18 Ball At Rest Moved[/b]

[b]18-5. By Another Ball[/b]
[color="#7F7F7F"][size="3"]If a [url="http://www.usga.org/workarea/linkit.aspx?linkidentifier=id&itemid=14253#BallinPlay"][i]ball in play[/i][/url] and at rest is [url="http://www.usga.org/workarea/linkit.aspx?linkidentifier=id&itemid=14253#Moved"][i]moved[/i][/url] by another ball in motion after a [url="http://www.usga.org/workarea/linkit.aspx?linkidentifier=id&itemid=14253#Stroke"][i]stroke[/i][/url], the [url="http://www.usga.org/workarea/linkit.aspx?linkidentifier=id&itemid=14253#Moved"][i]moved[/i][/url] ball [b]must[/b] be replaced.[/size][/color]

[/size][/color]

[Cvoege]

So it wouldnt result in a penalty for pulliing the ball out.

[KevCarter]

No penalty. You are allowed the same condition as when your ball had come to rest. I can't find an exact decision, but the following may be used as the precedent.

 

 

13-2/8 Player's Lie or Line of Play Affected by Pitch-Mark Made by Partner's, Opponent's or Fellow-Competitor's Ball

 

Q. A player's lie or line of play through the green is affected by a pitch-mark made by his partner's, his opponent's or a fellow-competitor's ball. Is the player entitled to relief?

 

A. If the pitch-mark was there before the player's ball came to rest, he is not entitled to relief without penalty.

 

If the pitch-mark was created after the player's ball came to rest, in equity (Rule 1-4), he may repair the pitch-mark. A player is entitled to the lie which his stroke gave him.

 

13-2/8.5 Player's Lie Affected by Sand from Partner's, Opponent's or Fellow-Competitor's Stroke from Bunker

 

Q. A's ball is on the apron between the green and a bunker. A's partner, opponent or fellow-competitor (B) plays from the bunker and deposits sand on and around A's ball. Is A entitled to any relief?

 

A. Yes. A is entitled to the lie and line of play he had when his ball came to rest. Accordingly, in equity (Rule 1-4), he is entitled to remove the sand deposited by B's stroke and lift his ball and clean it, without penalty.

 

13-2/8.7 Player's Area of Intended Stance Affected by Another Player's Stroke

 

Q. The balls of A and B lie near each other through the green. A plays and in doing so affects B's area of intended stance (e.g., by creating a divot hole). What is the ruling?

 

A. B may play the ball as it lies. In addition, if the original area of intended stance could be easily restored, in equity (Rule 1-4), the area of intended stance may be restored as nearly as possible, without penalty.

 

If the original area of intended stance could not be easily restored, in equity (Rule 1-4), the player may place his ball, without penalty, on the nearest spot within one club-length of the original lie that provides the most similar lie and area of intended stance to the original lie and area of intended stance. This spot must not be nearer the hole and must not be in a hazard.

 

 

[chip]

but you certainly can't replace the ball with the intention of testing the conditions of the bunker.

[KevCarter]

[quote name='chip' date='09 February 2010 - 04:42 PM' timestamp='1265755346' post='2239521']
but you certainly can't replace the ball with the intention of testing the conditions of the bunker.
[/quote]

I'm not sure if that is a question, or you are trying to make a point? I think the posted decisions are pretty clear, no?

Kevin