Putt and Hit Another Ball

[Martin B]

Yesterday, my FC and I were on the green. He putted - badly - and hit my ball. There was no penalty because we were playing a match.

I like to think that rules have some rational basis, and are not arbitrary or capricious.

Can anyone provide a rational reason for there being no penalty in match play, but a two stroke penalty in stroke play?

[jvincent]

The only rationale that I can think of is that in a match, the player whose ball is at rest would normally have marked it if he thought it would assist the other player. If he does not mark it then his FC is free to "use" it if he wants and since there is no field to protect, no penalty.

[AAA]

In match play the opponent has the opportunity to mark and lift his ball if he thinks it will help the player. They are the only people who have an interest in the outcome.
In stroke play the player has the opportunity to require his FC to mark and lift his ball if he thinks it will interfere. He is the one with the vested interest.
If the player and the FC agree to leave it because they believe it will assist the player, they are both DQd because the rest of the field have an interest.