Touch ball with putter at address (ball doesn’t move)

[unskinnybop99]

I recently discovered that my putter gently touches (tap/skim) the ball when I address the ball on the green. This happens because I’m trying to address the putter close to the ball. However, the ball does not move. What is the ruling?

[iacas]

If the ball doesn't move, there's no penalty, but I'd advise against getting that close to the ball. Just address it a cm away or something.

[nsxguy]

16 minutes ago, unskinnybop99 said:

I recently discovered that my putter gently touches (tap/skim) the ball when I address the ball on the green. This happens because I’m trying to address the putter close to the ball. However, the ball does not move. What is the ruling?

 

Here's a recent thread on the same subject BUT, the ball in that case, is NOT on the green.

 

https://forums.golfwrx.com/topic/1965988-rule-infraction-or-just-a-strange-habit/

 

[Augster]

Even if it moves, no penalty. Replace. 

[antip]

10 hours ago, unskinnybop99 said:

I recently discovered that my putter gently touches (tap/skim) the ball when I address the ball on the green. This happens because I’m trying to address the putter close to the ball. However, the ball does not move. What is the ruling?

Accidental touching on the green is not an issue. Deliberate touching is unless the ball has been marked. Repeatedly "accidentally" touching on the green looks like it is not accidental and may result in further investigation. 
Follow Iacas' advice - don't get that close to the ball. 

[Hickory4ever]

If this happens frequently, it is a deliberate action, not accidental. Move back a little.

[NMBob]

5 hours ago, Hickory4ever said:

If this happens frequently, it is a deliberate action, not accidental. Move back a little.

 

that theory did not apply to Langer anchoring his putter somehow..

[sui generis]

52 minutes ago, NMBob said:

 

that theory did not apply to Langer anchoring his putter somehow..

 

This makes you 0 for 2 this afternoon. 😉

[NMBob]

19 minutes ago, sui generis said:

 

This makes you 0 for 2 this afternoon. 😉

how is that, Langer accidentally anchored his putter on most all of his putts.  never penalized.   I believe he should have been as this suggests, if it happens all the time,  at some point it is "intentional"

 

and i reemphasizing a point in the other.  

Edited January 16, 2024 by NMBob

[kiwigolf72]

?

Edited January 16, 2024 by kiwigolf72

[kiwigolf72]

3 minutes ago, NMBob said:

how is that, Langer accidentally anchored his putter on most all of his putts.  never penalized.  

the topic from the OP was about the putter head touching the ball at address.

Nothing to do with anchoring the putter.

[NMBob]

Just now, kiwigolf72 said:

the topic isn't about anchoring putters.

 

he says he doesn't mean to touch his ball, yet knows it does...   

 

something happens, you don't mean it to, but you know it does every time anyway , so is that "intent" since you know it is touching but didn't mean too     that is what side of  the issue is I was commenting about

[kiwigolf72]

1 minute ago, NMBob said:

 

he says he doesn't mean to touch his ball, yet knows it does...   

 

something happens, you don't mean it to, but you know it does every time anyway , so is that "intent" since you know it is touching but didn't mean too     that is what side of  the issue is I was commenting about

ok....

[sui generis]

56 minutes ago, NMBob said:

how is that, Langer accidentally anchored his putter on most all of his putts.  never penalized.   I believe he should have been as this suggests, if it happens all the time,  at some point it is "intentional"

 

and i reemphasizing a point in the other.  

 0 for 3.

[NMBob]

1 minute ago, sui generis said:

 0 for 3.

nope, not at all.  Your arrogance prevents you from learning ... and in this case , you can't identify the issue I responded to. 

[sui generis]

1 minute ago, NMBob said:

nope, not at all.  Your arrogance prevents you from learning ... and in this case , you can't identify the issue I responded to. 

 

No, you go first. Tell us about your experience as a referee.

[NMBob]

I responded to a response, that centered on the idea of "intent"  is it intent if something happens every time, even though you do not intend to do it.   I pointed out this was part of the basis of the argument that Langer was violating rules by anchoring his putter, because it happened every time, even if there was no original intent, and he knows it "accidentally " happens every time.

 

you have contributed....nothing.  have a nice night. 

[sui generis]

3 minutes ago, NMBob said:

I responded to a response, that centered on the idea of "intent"  is it intent if something happens every time, even though you do not intend to do it.   I pointed out this was part of the basis of the argument that Langer was violating rules by anchoring his putter, because it happened every time, even if there was no original intent, and he knows it "accidentally " happens every time.

 

you have contributed....nothing.  have a nice night. 

 

I didn't think that you knew much about the Rules of Golf . . . now I'm sure. However, anyone can learn them, it takes some work, but it can be done. This Rules folder is a good place to lurk with an open mind.

[Hawkeye77]

1 hour ago, NMBob said:

how is that, Langer accidentally anchored his putter on most all of his putts.  never penalized.   I believe he should have been as this suggests, if it happens all the time,  at some point it is "intentional"

 

 

Well, as long as you are KVC he did . . . .

[Shilgy]

4 hours ago, NMBob said:

 

he says he doesn't mean to touch his ball, yet knows it does...   

 

something happens, you don't mean it to, but you know it does every time anyway , so is that "intent" since you know it is touching but didn't mean too     that is what side of  the issue is I was commenting about

And you want to penalize him for repeatedly touching the ball with the putter head? When the ball never moves? Under what rule?

 

PS Langer does not……never mind…you won’t listen and it’s been hashed over too many times.

[antip]

7 hours ago, NMBob said:

how is that, Langer accidentally anchored his putter on most all of his putts.  never penalized.   I believe he should have been as this suggests, if it happens all the time,  at some point it is "intentional"

 

and i reemphasizing a point in the other.  

Probably the most intensely scrutinized technique in the history of the game - and not a single piece of evidence you can show proves your wacky theory. 

[davep043]

13 hours ago, NMBob said:

I pointed out this was part of the basis of the argument that Langer was violating rules by anchoring his putter, because it happened every time,

So he has other players, from whom he keeps taking money due to his performance, and he has experienced officials, all watching him all the time, all within a few yards much of the time, and still has never been penalized for anchoring.  But you, from your seat in front of your television, are certain that he anchors "every time".  

[nsxguy]

On 1/15/2024 at 7:00 PM, NMBob said:

how is that, Langer accidentally anchored his putter on most all of his putts.  never penalized.   I believe he should have been as this suggests, if it happens all the time,  at some point it is "intentional"

 

and i reemphasizing a point in the other.  

 

Context is important. One HAS to presume you are talking about Langer POST the anchor ban, yes ?

 

If so, what proof do you have he's anchoring ANY time, never mind "most".

 

And the anchoring refers to the actual stroke, right ? i.e. (and someone correct me if I'm wrong), IF he was to anchor the putter before the stroke and "released" the anchor before making the actual stroke, he'd be OK, right ?.

 

And remember, the shirt loosely touching the handle, isn't an issue.

 

 

On 1/15/2024 at 7:06 PM, NMBob said:

 

he says he doesn't mean to touch his ball, yet knows it does...   

 

something happens, you don't mean it to, but you know it does every time anyway , so is that "intent" since you know it is touching but didn't mean too     that is what side of  the issue is I was commenting about

 

If you know it happens every time, at what point does it go from "accidental" to "intentional" ?

 

There HAS to be a point, no ?

[RCGA]

On 1/14/2024 at 4:48 PM, iacas said:

If the ball doesn't move, there's no penalty, but I'd advise against getting that close to the ball. Just address it a cm away or something.

 

Does this apply to shots off the green (fairway, rough, etc.?) 

[davep043]

7 minutes ago, RCGA said:

 

Does this apply to shots off the green (fairway, rough, etc.?) 

You should probably read Rule 9.4a for yourself, but there is no restriction as to which areas of the course are included.  If you don't lift it, if you don't intentionally touch it, if you don't cause it to move, there is no penalty.