Evening star., 1934-02-05
THE SPORTLICHT
(Copyriqht, l934.)
BY GRANTLAND RICE.

lust to illustrate this sort Of thing,
suppose a case where a players
ball on the putting green is struck
by another ball in the match-pos-
sibly knocked into the hole. What
happens?
If it is a single match, the player
whose ball was knocked in by the
other Is eptitled to count his ball as
holed on his last stroke. But If this
happens in a three-ball or four
ball match. the ball displaced must
be replaced. So it doesn't help the
two partners of a side If one ball OF
their side strikes and knocks the
other IN. The same thing is true in
medal play. The ball has to be re-
placed.
Then there Is another situation
which relates to this same set Of con-
ditions. What about one ball strik-
ing another on the putting green.
Here's the answer in that case. as
applied to the different types Of play.
There is no penalty for players ball
striking that of another on the putt
ing green in any form of match,
single, three-ball or four-ball In
medal play there is a penalty Of one
stroke, assessed against the player
whose ball struck the other.
~HIS brings up still another in
teresting point covering situa-
tions where one ball lies in the
line of play Of another-a stymie. The
only conditions under which stymies
must be played, according to the
rules. are single matches. In three
ball and four-ball matches, and also
in medal play, the rules provide for
the lifting of the nearer ball.
Hence a player in medal round
need never take any chance on pick
ing up a penalty because Of his ball
striking another on the putting
green. If there is any remote chance
that this may happen, he can have
the owner of the nearer ball either
lift his ball, or If he prefers, putt it,
before the ball farther from the hole
is played.
The situation is the same in a
three-ball or four-ball match. Not
only may a player, whose ball is
farthest from the hole. have a ball
nearer the hole lifted. if he finds it
may interfere with him in playing
his stroke. but his opponent may also
have such ball lifted. if he thinks 1t
may help the other fellow In holing
his ball.
Any player in a four-ban match
is entitled to have ball lying nearer
the hole than the one to be played
next either lifted or putted, at its
owners option. if it is felt that the
nearer ball may either help or hinder
the player of the next stroke.
These are just a few of the many
interesting points Of difference in the
provisions Of the rules In the different
popular forms of play. There are
numerous others So that when you
happen to be drawn into a debate on
what Is to be done in any given cir
cumstance, keep in mind that the
answer may well depend entirely on
whether you are engaged In a single
match, q three ball or four-ball match
or whether you are taking part In a
medal or stroke play contest.
There are 80 general rules Of golf,
and these are presented first in the
printed forms. Following them come
the special rules for three-ball and
four-ball matches Of which there are
10. Then come 16 special rules for
medal play.
Incidentally, you might find it
profitable to give at least a casual
reading to the rules before you gird
up and set forth on next Springs
campaign. As Q sporting proposition
you'll find plenty Of chance to back
your Judgment when these more or less
frenzied locker room debates arise.