June 2021
Rule 11.1 Ball on Motion Accidentally Hits Person or Outside Influence
11.1a No Penalty to Any Player
If a player’s ball in motion accidentally hits any person or outside influence there is now no penalty to any player even if the ball hits the player, the opponent or any other player or any of their caddies or equipment.
Exception – Ball Played on Putting Green in Stroke Play
If the player’s ball in motion hits another ball at rest on the putting green and both balls were on the putting green before the stroke, the player gets the general penalty (2 penalty strokes in Stroke Play). No penalty in Match Play.
11.1b Ball Must Be Played as It Lies
If a player’s ball in motion accidentally hits any person or outside influence the ball must be played as it lies with 2 exceptions.
Exception 1 – When Ball Played from Anywhere Except Putting Green Comes to Rest on Any Person, Animal or Moving Outside Influence. Drop a ball in the relief area. Reference Point is the estimated point right under where the ball first came to rest on the person, animal or moving outside influence. The reference point must be in the same area of the course, and not nearer the hole. Drop within a club-length of this point.
When ball is on the putting green place a ball on the estimated spot under where it first came to rest.
Exception 2 – When Ball Played from Putting Green Accidentally Hits Any Person, Animal or Movable Obstruction (including Another Ball in Motion) on the Putting Green the stroke does not count and a ball must be replaced on the original spot.
If a Ball in Motion (played from the Putting Green) Hits Another Ball at Rest (or Ball-Marker) on the Putting Green the ball must be played as it lies. Remember there is a 2 stroke penalty in Stroke Play if you hit another ball on the Putting Green so it is wise to have the other ball marked before you putt.
If a Ball in Motion Accidentally Hits Flagstick or Person Attending Flagstick there is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies. If the ball is Deliberately Deflected or Stopped by the Person Attending Flagstick they get the General Penalty and the ball must be replaced on the original spot.
