Deliberate Damage to Line of Play and Restoration
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The Situation
In stroke play, if Player A deliberately damages Player B's line of play on the putting green before Player B makes their stroke, what are the penalties and options for both players?
The Ruling
Here’s the breakdown based on the Rules of Golf:
Penalty for Player A: Player A deliberately altered the physical conditions to worsen Player B's line of play. This violates Rule 8.3b (Player's Deliberate Actions to Alter Other Physical Conditions to Affect Another Player's Ball at Rest or Stroke to Be Made). Player A incurs the general penalty, which is two strokes in stroke play.
Options for Player B: Player B's conditions affecting the stroke (specifically, the line of play) were worsened by another person (Player A) after their ball came to rest.
Under Rule 8.1d(1), Player B may restore the original conditions as nearly as possible since they were worsened by another person.
Additionally, because the damage is on the putting green, Rule 13.1c allows a player to repair "damage on the putting green" (including damage caused by a person), regardless of whether their ball is on or off the putting green.
Additional Consideration: Serious Misconduct
Beyond the two-stroke penalty, Player A's actions could be considered serious misconduct under Rule 1.2a (Standards of Player Conduct). Deliberately damaging the course to disadvantage another player is a significant breach of the spirit of the game. The Committee would be justified in disqualifying Player A from the competition for this behavior.
Penalty for Player A: Player A deliberately altered the physical conditions to worsen Player B's line of play. This violates Rule 8.3b (Player's Deliberate Actions to Alter Other Physical Conditions to Affect Another Player's Ball at Rest or Stroke to Be Made). Player A incurs the general penalty, which is two strokes in stroke play.
Options for Player B: Player B's conditions affecting the stroke (specifically, the line of play) were worsened by another person (Player A) after their ball came to rest.
Under Rule 8.1d(1), Player B may restore the original conditions as nearly as possible since they were worsened by another person.
Additionally, because the damage is on the putting green, Rule 13.1c allows a player to repair "damage on the putting green" (including damage caused by a person), regardless of whether their ball is on or off the putting green.
Additional Consideration: Serious Misconduct
Beyond the two-stroke penalty, Player A's actions could be considered serious misconduct under Rule 1.2a (Standards of Player Conduct). Deliberately damaging the course to disadvantage another player is a significant breach of the spirit of the game. The Committee would be justified in disqualifying Player A from the competition for this behavior.