ba;; wiggles but doesn't move to the naked eye

[Wknd_Warrior]

doesn't happen on the fairway, but in the rough when the ball shimmers because you disturb the grass around the ball, is this a ball moving? I suppose with a microscope it might not be in axactly the same spot it was, but it really hasn't moved. You guys that play local tournyments, ro even club championships, does this happen sometimes? or do you just get used to hovering the club way off the ball to avoid it. I think I've seen balls wiggle on tv and the pro not being very concerned, so is there a common exceptance of what "moves" means in this context?

[Golftime]

Here is decison from the USGA
18/2 Ball Oscillates During Address


Q. In addressing the ball, a player accidentally causes the ball to oscillate, but it returns to its original position. Has the ball “moved”?

A. No.

[Wknd_Warrior]

Cool, so unless it actually "rolls" to a different position it's not deemed to have moved.

[AAA]

Exactly

[Kilroy]

But if you touch/oscillate the ball while picking away loose impediments it's another story.

[BC MIST]

Cool, so unless it actually "rolls" to a different position it's not deemed to have moved.

In the most recent OVGA seniors tournament, a player, thinking he was playing preferred lies, touched his ball with the intention of moving it, but the ball, by definition, did not move. He was penalized because of his intent. Touching the ball accidently, would NOT result in a penalty.

[AAA]

[quote=BC MIST;192629]In the most recent OVGA seniors tournament, a player, thinking he was playing preferred lies, touched his ball with the intention of moving it, but the ball, by definition, did not move. He was penalized because of his intent. quote]

If he had marked it first, as is required by the rule, he would have been OK.
Also if he touched it whilst in the act of marking.

[BullDog]

But if you touch/oscillate the ball while picking away loose impediments it's another story.

Was that rule not modified/revoked in 2005 (or thereabouts)?

[AAA]

Was that rule not modified/revoked in 2005 (or thereabouts)?

This was the rule until Jan 2004

c. Ball Moving After Loose Impediment Touched

Through the green, if the ball moves after any loose impediment, lying within a club-length of it has been touched by the player, his partner or either of their caddies and before the player has addressed it, the player shall be deemed to have moved the ball and shall incur a penalty stroke. The player shall replace the ball unless the movement of the ball occurs after he has begun his swing and he does not discontinue his swing.
On the putting green, if the ball or the ball-marker moves in the process of removing any loose impediment, the ball or the ball-marker shall be replaced. There is no penalty provided the movement of the ball or the ball-marker is directly attributable to the removal of the loose impediment. Otherwise, the player shall incur a penalty stroke under Rule 18-2a or Rule 20-1.

[Wknd_Warrior]

that still asumes the ball "moved" and needs to be replaced.

[Kilroy]

Looks to me like if you move your ball while removing a loose impediment anywhere but on the putting green there is a penalty. I could not find a specific reference to this in the rules or decisions. Very strange.

18-2. Ball at rest moved by Player, Partner, Caddie or Equipment

a. General

When a player’s ball is in play, if:

(i) the player, his partner or either of their caddies lifts or moves it, touches it purposely (except with a club in the act of addressing it) or causes it to move except as permitted by a Rule, or

(ii) equipment of the player or his partner causes the ball to move,

the player incurs a penalty of one stroke. If the ball is moved, it must be replaced unless the movement of the ball occurs after the player has begun the stroke or the backward movement of the club for the stroke and the stroke is made.

Under the Rules there is no penalty if a player accidentally causes his ball to move in the following circumstances:

• In searching for a ball in a hazard covered by loose impediments or sand, for a ball in an abnormal ground condition or for a ball believed to be in water in a water hazard — Rule 12-1
• In repairing a hole plug or ball mark — Rule 16-1c
• In measuring — Rule 18-6
• In lifting a ball under a Rule — Rule 20-1
• In placing or replacing a ball under a Rule — Rule 20-3a
• In removing a loose impediment on the putting green — Rule 23-1
• In removing movable obstructions — Rule 24-1.