Rules question · Rule 11.1a · Hard
Chip hits another player’s ball on the putting green: is there a penalty?
In stroke play you are chipping from just off the putting green. Another player’s ball lies one metre behind the flagstick. Neither of you says anything and it stays there. Your chip runs long, hits their ball and stops right next to the hole. What is the ruling?
Answer
No penalty: you play your ball as it lies, and their ball is replaced
The two-stroke penalty applies only if both balls were on the putting green before the stroke. You played from off the putting green, so there is no penalty. Leaving their ball in place is not a breach either: without an agreement, you do not have to ask anyone to lift their ball. Your ball stays where it is, and theirs is replaced on its original spot.