Rule 19. Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped
Definitions
All defined terms are in italics and are listed alphabetically in
the Definitions section — see pages 5-18.
19-1. By Outside Agency
If a player’s ball in motion is accidentally deflected or stopped
by any outside agency, it is a rub of the green, there is no penalty
and the ball must be played as it lies, except:
a. If a player’s ball in motion after a stroke other than on
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the putting green comes to rest in or on any moving or
animate outside agency, the ball must through the green or in
a hazard be dropped, or on the putting green be placed, as
near as possible to the spot directly under the place where
the ball came to rest in or on the outside agency, but not
nearer the hole, and
b. If a player’s ball in motion after a stroke on the putting
green is deflected or stopped by, or comes to rest in or
on, any moving or animate outside agency, except a worm,
insect or the like, the stroke is canceled. The ball must be
replaced and replayed.
If the ball is not immediately recoverable, another ball may be
substituted.
Exception: Ball striking person attending or holding up
flagstick or anything carried by him — see Rule 17-3b.
Note: If the referee or the Committee determines that a player’s ball
has been purposely deflected or stopped by an outside agency, Rule
1-4 applies to the player. If the outside agency is a fellow-competitor
or his caddie, Rule 1-2 applies to the fellow-competitor.
(Player’s ball deflected or stopped by another ball — see Rule 19-5.)
19-2. By Player, Partner, Caddie or Equipment
If a player’s ball is accidentally deflected or stopped by himself,
his partner or either of their caddies or equipment, the player
incurs a penalty of one stroke. The ball must be played as it lies,
except when it comes to rest in or on the player’s, his partner’s
or either of their caddies’ clothes or equipment, in which case the
ball must through the green or in a hazard be dropped, or on the
putting green be placed, as near as possible to the spot directly
under the place where the ball came to rest in or on the article,
but not nearer the hole.
Exception 1: Ball striking person attending or holding up a
flagstick or anything carried by him — see Rule 17-3b.
Exception 2: Dropped ball — see Rule 20-2a.
(Ball purposely deflected or stopped by player, partner or
caddie — see Rule 1-2.)
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19-3. By Opponent, Caddie or Equipment in Match Play
If a player’s ball is accidentally deflected or stopped by an
opponent, his caddie or his equipment, there is no penalty.
The player may, before another stroke is made by either side,
cancel the stroke and play a ball, without penalty, as nearly
as possible at the spot from which the original ball was
last played (see Rule 20-5) or he may play the ball as it lies.
However, if the player elects not to cancel the stroke and the
ball has come to rest in or on the opponent’s or his caddie’s
clothes or equipment, the ball must through the green or in a
hazard be dropped, or on the putting green be placed, as near
as possible to the spot directly under the place where the ball
came to rest in or on the article, but not nearer the hole.
Exception: Ball striking person attending or holding up
flagstick or anything carried by him — see Rule 17-3b.
(Ball purposely deflected or stopped by opponent or caddie
— see Rule 1-2.)
19-4. By Fellow-Competitor, Caddie or Equipment in
Stroke Play
See Rule 19-1 regarding ball deflected by outside agency.
Exception: Ball striking person attending or holding up
flagstick or anything carried by him — see Rule 17-3b.
19-5. By Another Ball
g a. At Rest
If a player’s ball in motion after a stroke is deflected or stopped
by a ball in play and at rest, the player must play his ball as it
lies. In match play, there is no penalty. In stroke play, there is
no penalty, unless both balls lay on the putting green prior to the
stroke, in which case the player incurs a penalty of two strokes.
g b. In Motion
If a player’s ball in motion after a stroke is deflected or stopped
by another ball in motion after a stroke, the player must play
his ball as it lies. There is no penalty, unless the player was in
breach of Rule 16-1f, in which case he incurs the penalty for
breach of that Rule.
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Exception: If the player’s ball is in motion after a stroke on the
putting green and the other ball in motion is an outside agency
— __________see Rule 19-1b.
Penalty for Breach of Rule :
Match play — Loss of hole; Stroke play — Two strokes.
