The answer is slightly different depending on the situation. If the ball is at rest, then moved by the animal, it must be replaced (Rule 18-1). If the ball is in motion after a stroke, then the stroke is cancelled and the ball must again be replaced and the stroke replayed (Rule 19-1).
What happens if a golf ball hits an animal?
Say, for example, a ball that in motion hits, or comes into contact with, an animal as we saw in the case of Fleetwood. Rule 11.1 applies. It states there will be no penalty to any player “if a player’s ball accidentally hits any person or outside influence”. The ball must be played as it lies, except in two circumstances.
How do you get a golf ball out of an animal?
You either need to place the original ball (or a replacement) at the estimated point under where it came to rest on the animal, or, take a free drop one club-length from the original spot and no closer to the hole.
Will a bird take your golf ball?
I hadn’t actually seen any bird take anything let alone my golf ball. It turns out you need to actually see, or be virtually certain that a bird (or any outside agency) moves or takes your golf ball.
What are the rules of golf about ball lifted or moved?
There’s no need to panic, though, the Rules of Golf are on your side in this war against nature. Rule 9.6 – Ball Lifted or Moved by Outside Influence – is riding to the rescue. It says “if it is known or virtually certain that an outside influence (including another player in stroke play or another ball) lifted or moved a players ball:
What happens if a dog picks up a golf ball?
There is no penalty, and the ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated). This applies whether or not the player's ball has been found'. This will cover most circumstances you'll find on the course but not quite all.
What happens if a bird takes your golf ball?
According to Rule 18-1, when a ball has been moved by an outside agency, you have to replace it at the spot where it was picked up. For you, that means back in the rough. If you don't know exactly where the bird grabbed your ball, you can approximate it (Rule 20-3c). Either way, there is no penalty.
Is an animal an outside influence in golf?
If a player's ball in motion accidentally hits any person or outside influence, the ball must be played as it lies, except in two situations: Exception 1 – When Ball Played from Anywhere Except Putting Green Comes to Rest on Any Person, Animal or Moving Outside Influence: The player must not play the ball as it lies.
Is there a penalty for accidentally moving your golf ball?
There would be no penalty for lifting that ball (after marking its spot), or even for accidentally causing your ball to move while taking reasonable actions to lift it. You will just need to replace your ball back on its original spot.
Do squirrels steal golf balls?
The furry critters regularly sprint from the bush, scoop golf balls from the green, and run off with them, particularly around the 10th and 18th holes.
Can a crow pick up a golf ball?
Charlestown Golf Club captain Dave Hartney said crows had been pinching golf balls from the club for years. Dave told Topics this happened at many golf courses “around spring and autumn for some unknown reason”. “One picked mine up the other day, then my mate hit a ball and it dropped mine and chased his.”
What happens if you hit a rake in golf?
Objects used for the care of the course, such as rakes, are equipment only while they are being held or carried by you or your caddie., there is no penalty to any player.
Has anyone ever hit an ostrich in golf?
Ostriches almost never happen in golf. In fact, obtaining a score of five-under par has never happened in a professional golf match. This feat is so rare that there are no recorded instances of it actually happening.
What happens if your golf ball hits another golf ball on the green?
There is no penalty when a ball played from off the putting green (chipping) moves another ball. However, in stroke play, when a ball played from the putting green hits another ball on the putting green the person making the stroke incurs a penalty of two strokes.
What happens if you accidentally move your ball?
It only becomes a ball in play once a stroke is made. When the practice swing accidentally hits the ball, you are considered to have not made a stroke. Thus, the golf rules simply allow you to re-tee the moved ball (or replace it with another one) without penalty. This is covered under Rule 6.2b(5) and 6.2b(6).
Does it count as a stroke if you miss the ball?
The short version: If the golfer is trying to hit the golf ball but misses: Yes, that's a stroke. You have to count it. If the golfer intentionally misses the ball: No, it's not a stroke.
Can you move twigs in golf?
Loose impediments and movable obstructions can be moved anywhere on the golf course, including in bunkers and penalty areas, even when your ball also lies in the bunker or penalty area. If your ball moves when moving a movable obstruction, there is not penalty and you simply replace the ball.
What are the rules for golfing with leaves?
Instruction. Rules you can use: The 9 rules every golfer needs to know for dealing with leaves on the course. One other potential scenario, albeit a far more unlikely one, is if your ball comes to rest on or against an animal. If this happens to you, and your ball is resting against the tail of a mongoose or in the mouth of a Florida gator, ...
What is the rule for playing the ball as it lies?
In this scenario, you simply play the ball as it lies, as directed by Rule 11.1. There are two exceptions to this rule. If you’re on the putting green and your ball in motion is deflected ...
What is the rule for a ball that is still in the fairway?
If your ball is resting still in the fairway when an animal decides to mess with it, you proceed under Rule 9.6 and replace the ball on its original spot (if you move the ball yourself, you will get penalized — cc: Billy Mayfair ). The rules are slightly different if your ball is in motion when it comes into contact with an animal, ...
Can you take relief from a golf ball if it is on an animal?
If your ball isn’t resting on an animal, but the creature is close by, and the animal has big teeth and/or venomous fangs, you are still allowed to take free relief under the “dangerous animal condition” exception. Now you should have all the information you need to contend with animals on the golf course .
Does a stroke count on a putt?
If you’re on the putting green and your ball in motion is deflected or moved by an animal or other outside influence, the stroke does not count, and you must place the ball on its original spot and hit the putt again. Instruction. Rules you can use: The 9 rules every golfer needs to know for dealing ...
Can you pet a gator on a golf course?
Now you should have all the information you need to contend with animals on the golf course. But remember, these rules only protect your score, they won’t protect your person. So be mindful of the wildlife on the courses you play, and if you feel the urge to pet a gator, or a mongoose for that matter, just say no and pet your headcover instead.
What happens when a golf ball hits an animal?
If, when on the green, it accidentally hits an animal – and use the known or virtually certain standard to decide whether it has – the stroke doesn’t count and a ball must be replaced on its original spot. The other is when a ball, played from anywhere except the green, comes to rest on an animal.
What is the rule for a ball hitting an animal?
Say, for example, your ball is in motion and it hits, or comes into contact with, an animal. Now Rule 11.1 applies. It states there will be no penalty to any player “if a player’s ball accidentally hits any person or outside influence”. The ball must be played as it lies, except in a couple of circumstances.
What happens if you can't find the ball?
If you can’t do that, and you can’t find the ball, you’ll have to take stroke-and-distance and a penalty shot along with it. Rule 9.6 will cover most close encounters with the animal kingdom but not quite all. Say, for example, your ball is in motion and it hits, or comes into contact with, an animal. Now Rule 11.1 applies.
When is there interference by a dangerous animal condition?
When there is interference by a dangerous animal condition: (1) When Ball Is Anywhere Except Penalty Area. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b , c or d, depending on whether the ball is in the general area, in a bunker or on the putting green. (2) When Ball Is in Penalty Area.
What is a dangerous animal condition?
A “dangerous animal condition” exists when a dangerous animal (such as poisonous snakes, stinging bees, alligators, fire ants or bears) near a ball could cause serious physical injury to the player if he or she had to play the ball as it lies.