[Golf Rules... Knowledge Is Power] When a Ball Moves After a Rangefinder Falls

Hwang Yumin Doosan Construction We’ve Championship 3R Hole 18
Mistake in the process of passing from caddie after distance measurement
No penalty if not moved, 1 penalty if moved

Golf has no referees. It is a "gentleman's sport" where golfers play by following the rules themselves. The golf rules are "assistants" created to help with play. If well understood and properly applied, they can greatly aid in score management. These are golf rules that weekend golfers must know.

Hwang Yumin

The heavens helped Hwang Yumin. On the 18th hole (par 4, 371 yards) of the 3rd round at the Doosan Construction Weave Championship (total prize money 1.2 billion KRW), the domestic opening event of the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour held on the 6th at Teddy Valley Golf & Resort (par 72, 6685 yards) in Seogwipo City, Jeju Island, Hwang Yumin, who was leading by one stroke, almost received a penalty after dropping her distance measuring device on the ball. However, the committee confirmed through video review that the ball did not move, so she was not penalized. Fortunately, she played without penalty and made a birdie by placing the ball right next to the hole cup, finishing with a two-stroke lead.

Right after the 3rd round, Hwang Yumin reflected, "At first, I was nervous and hoped not to get a penalty. It was a mistake caused by my lack of focus, and I was prepared to accept whatever decision was made." She then smiled and said, "Fortunately, luck was on my side, so I was able to finish well."

Players must always stay focused during the round. A penalty is given if the ball moves due to a mistake. If a golfer’s belongings unintentionally touch and move the ball, a one-stroke penalty is imposed. Hwang Yumin added one under par in the final 4th round to secure a one-stroke victory (14 under par, 274 strokes). If she had received a one-stroke penalty on the 18th hole of the 3rd round, it could have been a crisis that cost her the championship trophy.

Following the distance measuring device incident, Hwang Yumin earned her second career win and first in nine months since the Daewoo Winia MBN Ladies Open last July, receiving a winner’s prize of 216 million KRW. She ranks first in prize money (252.66 million KRW), points for the Player of the Year (106 points), and average score (69.36 strokes). Her world ranking also rose 23 spots from last week to 40th place.