Ruling?

[Queball915]

Is it legal to hit a ball while on your knees? I know you can't put a towel down or anything but I had a huge debate on the course today with a fellow golfer. He was certain you can't hit from your knees. I am pretty sure I've seen tiger and Rickie fowler do it. Can anyone confirm the ruling and where I can find it in the rules?

 

[jhmeg2]

yes you can

 

[TrickyPutt]

Is it legal to hit a ball while on your knees? I know you can't put a towel down or anything but I had a huge debate on the course today with a fellow golfer. He was certain you can't hit from your knees. I am pretty sure I've seen tiger and Rickie fowler do it. Can anyone confirm the ruling and where I can find it in the rules?

There is something obscure about it being illegal if you tie a towel around your knee vs putting it on the ground and kneeling or vice versa. I recall it being discussed in one of the threads here. One was viewed an assistance and one was not. Sorry I cant recall better than that.

 

[Fairwaysplitter3320]

Is it legal to hit a ball while on your knees? I know you can't put a towel down or anything but I had a huge debate on the course today with a fellow golfer. He was certain you can't hit from your knees. I am pretty sure I've seen tiger and Rickie fowler do it. Can anyone confirm the ruling and where I can find it in the rules?

I think Snedeker hit a shot from his knees in the Masters but not sure in the definite rule.

 

[TrickyPutt]

I think it was Sergio that got popped. You can wear a pad but cant use a separate item as a mechanical help or something like that.

 

[limpalong]

Craig Stadler was DQ'd from a PGA tourney some years ago for the "towel incident". It was a wet, muddy day. Stadler's ball was under a tree and he needed to kneel to get to it... or take an unplayable lie. He grabbed the towel off his bag and put it on the ground so his pants wouldn't get muddy. Hit the ball from under the tree and finished the round. A television viewer called it in as a Rules infraction due to "imporving his lie" with the towel.
You can swing at the ball kneeling, sitting, standing on your head, or whatever bodily contortion you desire. Just do not put a towel or any object down to sit/stand/kneel on.

 

[TrickyPutt]

Ahh.. Encyclopedia Brown on the case