My opponent and I both hit drives that end up 4 inches from each other in a vertical line to the hole (one in front of the other). I mark my ball at the request of my opponent. He takes a divot on his shot and fills it with sand. Do I have to place my ball in the sand divot?

My instinct says no because I wasn't in a divot when I marked, but where do you replace the ball?

kevin? are you out there?

In equity, I think you would replace your ball as near as possible to it's original position (not nearer the hole) whilst maintaining it's original lie. I could be wrong, but that is how I would deal with the situation.

In the circumstances described, you are entitled to play your shot from conditions that are as near as possible to those that existed before you marked your ball.

Effectively, you are entitled to place your ball in a position that recreates the lie you had, as closely as possible, and in a place that is as near as possible to the original spot. You are not required to play from the same spot and thus from the divot that has been taken.

I guess you could have chosen to play first, unless it was match play and your opponent wanted to be first into the green.

Spot on!

Kevin

In case anyone wants the rule for future reference it is 20-3b:

"b. Lie of Ball to be Placed or Replaced Altered

If the original lie of a ball to be placed or replaced has been altered: (i) except in a hazard, the ball must be placed in the nearest lie most similar to the original lie that is not more than one club-length from the original lie, not nearer the hole and not in a hazard;"

Also, one quick clarification. This situation is rectified by a specific rule, so it technically is not an "equity" situation (Rule 1-4).

Thanks Opus, busy at work today, I like to post references as you did, but time didn't permit. It's really fun to see so many sharp rules people contributing!

Kevin

Thank you for the kind words Kevin.