On the opening hole of the Ryder Cup, Bryson DeChambeau unleashed a monster tee shot that landed just shy of the first green. Due to heavy rains the night before, lift clean and place was employed, leading to this exchange between commentators Terry Gannon and Notah Begay.
“You’re not only able to lift the ball, clean it, but change the golf ball,” said Gannon, before Begay added, “That’s one of the unique rules about golf, they can change the golf ball if they so choose.”
Wait, what?
The pair’s comments might have led viewers to believe they could have changed between DeChambeau’s Titleist Pro V1x Double Dot and partner Justin Thomas’ Pro V1x, and, believe it or not, they could have. The following was obtained from the PGA of America when asked for clarification.
When a player’s ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less (does not include the collar cut), the player may take free relief ONCE by placing the original ball or another ball in and playing it from this relief area.
This was likely unnecessary as conventional strategy in foursomes has the player teeing off using the ball the player hitting the approach typically uses.
The switch-out comment likely caught a number of people off guard (including us, hence the desire to check it out). The Ryder Cup was less than a hole in and already we’re learning something. It should be a great week.
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
