Can I throw a golf ball before hitting a shot?

[Snarkesor]

I took a lesson recently and my instructor found that the old ball throwing drill does some really good things for my swing. (See attached video from my lesson) Surely it would be very annoying for my playing partners, but just out of curiosity I’m wondering if there is there anything in the rules against me doing this with a spare ball I keep in my pocket before a shot during a round?  I know 13.1e says you aren’t allowed to roll another ball on the green, but I can’t seem to find anything that says that throwing a golf ball as part of your practice would be against any rule.

 

 

[Newby]

Looks very like practicing on the course.

[Hawkeye77]

Prohibited use of equipment. 

[ShortGolfer]

I wish that beginners on Hartford's Flat Nine would toss a ball down the fairway if they miss the ball entirely or hit it into the woods. 😆

 

A twenty yard walk may give the poor soul a chance to regroup and swing better the next time.  They may even pull a club that is easier to swing the next time around.

Or realize just how much easier the ball is to hit from the fairway. compared to the first cut of rough.

 

It may help avoid someone being stuck, unable to advance the ball, while groups stack up behind him. 

Edited July 20 by ShortGolfer

[Snarkesor]

4 minutes ago, Hawkeye77 said:

Prohibited use of equipment. 

What’s the specific rule?

[Snarkesor]

20 minutes ago, Newby said:

Looks very like practicing on the course.

5.2  Practising on Course Before or Between Rounds

“Practising on the course” means playing a ball from anywhere or testing the surface of the putting green of any hole by rolling a ball or rubbing the surface.”
 

**
 

I don’t see how throwing a ball at the ground is playing a ball.

[Snarkesor]

13 minutes ago, Hawkeye77 said:

Prohibited use of equipment. 

This looks relevant:

4.3a. Allowed and Prohibited Uses of Equipment

A player may use equipment to help his or her play during a round, except that a player must not create a potential advantage by:

• Using equipment (other than a club or a ball) that artificially eliminates or reduces the need for a skill or judgment that is essential to the challenge of the game, or

• Using equipment (including a club or a ball) in an abnormal way in making a stroke. “Abnormal way” means a way that is fundamentally different than its intended use and is not normally recognized as part of playing the game.

This Rule does not affect the application of any other Rule that limits actions a player is allowed to take with a club, ball, device or other equipment (such as setting down a club or other object to help the player in lining up, see Rule 10.2b(3)).
 

 

***
BUT…. The rule says “using equipment in an abnormal way in making a stroke”

 

I’m not making a stroke here.

[Hawkeye77]

14 minutes ago, Snarkesor said:

This looks relevant:

 

4.3a. Allowed and Prohibited Uses of Equipment

A player may use equipment to help his or her play during a round, except that a player must not create a potential advantage by:

• Using equipment (other than a club or a ball) that artificially eliminates or reduces the need for a skill or judgment that is essential to the challenge of the game, or

• Using equipment (including a club or a ball) in an abnormal way in making a stroke. “Abnormal way” means a way that is fundamentally different than its intended use and is not normally recognized as part of playing the game.

This Rule does not affect the application of any other Rule that limits actions a player is allowed to take with a club, ball, device or other equipment (such as setting down a club or other object to help the player in lining up, see Rule 10.2b(3)).
 

 

***
BUT…. The rule says “using equipment in an abnormal way in making a stroke”

 

I’m not making a stroke here.

Nor are you reading the first part. 

[Snarkesor]

Just now, Hawkeye77 said:

Nor are you reading the first part. 

What first part? Where the rules explicitly carve out an exception for the ball? Lol

[Hawkeye77]

1 minute ago, Snarkesor said:

What first part? Where the rules explicitly carve out an exception for the ball? Lol

No smart aleck, the relevant part before the word “or”.

 

Edit: LOL, maybe I could read the word “ball”.

Edited July 20 by Hawkeye77

[Hawkeye77]

Having a rethink!

[Snarkesor]

1 minute ago, Hawkeye77 said:

Having a rethink!

Yeah I mean to be clear, this isn’t something I actually think one should be allowed to do, and it would be obnoxious for one’s playing partners. Just wondering if the rules contemplate this kind of situation.

[Hawkeye77]

4 minutes ago, Snarkesor said:

Yeah I mean to be clear, this isn’t something I actually think one should be allowed to do, and it would be obnoxious for one’s playing partners. Just wondering if the rules contemplate this kind of situation.

 

I'll own it - I'm stumped (not hard by the way).  Whether practice or equipment the closest I can find is that a Local Rule could be used to further define practice, etc.  

 

The optics are just so wrong I didn't read that first part of 4.3 in the Equipment Rules closely.

[ChaosTheory]

Would it be just as effective if you threw an acorn, or a tee?

 

 I can’t see how those would be disallowed.  

[Yrrdead]

11 minutes ago, ChaosTheory said:

Would it be just as effective if you threw an acorn, or a tee?

 

 I can’t see how those would be disallowed.  

Or even a clump of dirt. Just like CT says , should be effective and I dont' think anyone would even bat an eye.

[antip]

I don't see an issue with throwing anything that isn't designed as a swing aid. Throwing a golf ball is using equipment in an unusual way, but this is only a breach if done as part of a stroke.

[Hawkeye77]

28 minutes ago, ChaosTheory said:

Would it be just as effective if you threw an acorn, or a tee?

 

 I can’t see how those would be disallowed.  

 

A tee wouldn't have the same apparent "protection" as a ball per the wording of the rules, though I can't imagine using one for the same reason the ball is being tossed.

Edited July 20 by Hawkeye77

[Snarkesor]

4 minutes ago, Hawkeye77 said:

 

A tee wouldn't have the same apparent "protection" as a ball per the wording of the equipment rules, though I can't imagine using one for the same reason the ball is being tossed.

So do found objects on the golf course like rocks, or acorns, or dirt clumps not count as equipment?

Acorn or dirt clump would work. A tee really wouldn’t really give that good release feeling that works for me. Anyways I’m not trying to be “that guy” throwing things on the course. Just interested in the rules.

 

[Hawkeye77]

5 minutes ago, Snarkesor said:

So do found objects on the golf course like rocks, or acorns, or dirt clumps not count as equipment?

Acorn or dirt clump would work. A tee really wouldn’t really give that good release feeling that works for me. Anyways I’m not trying to be “that guy” throwing things on the course. Just interested in the rules.

 

 

Equipment includes anything "used" by a player - if that is interpreted to include rocks, etc. then I think there's an issue.  

 

This is more interesting than I first thought, haha.  

 

So far, using the ball may be okay if you can handle the taunting.

[WesternRacing]

1 hour ago, Hawkeye77 said:

 

So far, using the ball may be okay if you can handle the taunting.

 

I think this is the answer.

[Augster]

No penalty unless you unduly delay play. 

[Newby]

9 hours ago, Snarkesor said:

 

5.2  Practising on Course Before or Between Rounds

“Practising on the course” means playing a ball from anywhere or testing the surface of the putting green of any hole by rolling a ball or rubbing the surface.”
 

**
 

I don’t see how throwing a ball at the ground is playing a ball.

The video shows him using a club to move the ball.

 

Edit:

I have downloaded the video again and have got a completely different video. 

Ignore my previous comment.

Edited July 21 by Newby

[Colin L]

8 hours ago, Snarkesor said:

Yeah I mean to be clear, this isn’t something I actually think one should be allowed to do, and it would be obnoxious for one’s playing partners. Just wondering if the rules contemplate this kind of situation.

Why would the rulemakers 'contemplate'  something as bizarre as this?    And what does it do that simulating throwing a ball without one wouldn't do?   

 

Sometimes, and I can be  as guilty as any of this, it is too easy to seize upon something like this and try to force the  rules into accommodating or punishing it.  And with this one, after imagining the incredulity on the faces of my mates if I did it - or perhaps the pitying concern as they thought that Colin had finally lost it - it shouldn't take more than a moment's thought to say to the OP,  "you're fine with this but think twice about  actually doing it."   The practicalities of having to go and pick up the thrown ball, of finding it in the jungle that is often to the side of tees along with the likely ridicule of your mates do hint that it would not be the best of ideas.  And don't try it on the range; the guy in the next bay might not be too happy.

 

@Snarkesor  Interesting question, though, thanks.  My reaction is about the  rules nerds (myself included)  tending to complicate issues too much.

 

 

[Newby]

I wonder if the thread title should start with the word 'May' as opposed to 'Can'.

[Colin L]

1 hour ago, Newby said:

I wonder if the thread title should start with the word 'May' as opposed to 'Can'.

From one longstanding pedant to another: of course it should have. 😉

[Socrates]

While the act of throwing the ball might not be a direct violation (just because I couldn't find one does't mean it isn't there), I think it would likely come under scrutiny for Unreasonable Delay and being under the player's control.  It would likely be a judgement call.  It also could fall under Standards of Player Conduct for not showing consideration to others.

 

I'm sure it would draw unwanted scrutiny from Officials and players almost immediately.

 

5.6  Unreasonable Delay; Prompt Pace of Play

5.6a/1 – Examples of Delays That Are Considered Reasonable or Unreasonable

Unreasonable delays in the context of Rule 5.6a are delays caused by a player’s actions that are within the player’s control and affect other players or delay the competition. Brief delays that are a result of normal events that happen during a round or are outside the player’s control are generally treated as “reasonable”.

Determining which actions are reasonable or unreasonable depends on all the circumstances, including whether the player is waiting for other players in the group or the group ahead.

 

 

1.2 Standards of Player Conduct

a. Conduct Expected of All Players

All players are expected to play in the spirit of the game by:

• Acting with integrity – for example, by following the Rules, applying all penalties, and being honest in all aspects of play.

• Showing consideration to others – for example, by playing at a prompt pace, looking out for the safety of others, and not distracting the play of another player. If a player plays a ball in a direction where there might be a danger of hitting someone, they should immediately shout a warning, such as the traditional warning of “fore”.

• Taking good care of the course – for example, by replacing divots, smoothing bunkers, repairing ball-marks, and not causing unnecessary damage to the course.

There is no penalty under the Rules for failing to act in this way, except that the Committee may disqualify a player for acting contrary to the spirit of the game if it finds that the player has committed serious misconduct.

[SNIPERBBB]

 You know you dont actually have to throw the ball right? Its just a drill. 

[Snarkesor]

1 hour ago, SNIPERBBB said:

 You know you dont actually have to throw the ball right? Its just a drill. 

You’d be surprised. Something about actually throwing the ball makes it work in ways that just doing the motion doesn’t. 

[tatertot]

What if I "throw" the ball on the green to loosen up before putting? It might just show me the break of the green ... by accident, of course.

[Socrates]

1 hour ago, tatertot said:

What if I "throw" the ball on the green to loosen up before putting? It might just show me the break of the green ... by accident, of course.

13.1  Actions Allowed or Required on Putting Greens

Purpose of Rule: This Rule allows the player to do things on the putting green that are normally not allowed off the putting green, such as being allowed to mark, lift, clean and replace a ball and to repair damage and remove sand and loose soil on the putting green. There is no penalty for accidentally causing a ball or ball-marker to move on the putting green.

e. No Deliberate Testing of Greens

During a round and while play is stopped under Rule 5.7a, a player must not deliberately take either of these actions to test the putting green or a wrong green:

• Rub the surface, or

• Roll a ball.