[par4]

I was using the word penalty as the original poster was, not as you are assuming as in a stroke penalty, but as a hardship. Poor choice of word.

And, sorry, but it is entirely possible that you land in your own divot not closer to the hole and the ball is in play. That was exactly the point of many of the commentators before the decision was rendered.

[centurion316]

Well, it would certainly be possible for me to make a divot that is not closer to the hole, but pros don’t do that. The club strikes the ball first and then continues its downward arc creating a divot forward of the original ball placement. Of course, if your drop settles in someone else’s divot, play on. Certainly a hardship when that happens, but striking the pin and seeing your ball careen into the drink is no picnic either. Cruel game.