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).
What happens if your golf ball hits an animal?
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. It states there will be no penalty to any player “if a player’s ball accidentally hits any person or outside influence”.
What happens if you can’t find your golf 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.
What happens if you hit the ball in motion in golf?
Purpose of Rule: Rule 11 covers what to do if the player’s ball in motion hits a person, animal, equipment or anything else on the course. When this happens accidentally, there is no penalty and the player normally must accept the result, whether favourable or not, and play the ball from where it comes to rest.
What happens if a bird picks up 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.
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.
Do you get relief from animal holes in golf?
A player may take relief under Rule 16.2b from interference by a dangerous animal. condition no matter where his or her ball is on the course. Continued), except that relief is not allowed: When playing the ball as it lies is clearly unreasonable because of something other than the dangerous animal.
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.
Do you get relief from an immovable obstruction in golf?
Related: Golf Rules - Plugged Lie Remember that you are allowed to take relief from an immovable obstruction or abnormal course condition if it interferes with your intended stance or swing for the shot (for instance, if you are standing on a path to play a ball that is not on the path).
Do you get relief from tree roots in golf?
Is there any free relief, or is it just play it as it lies? Answer: The Rules of Golf stipulate that this is play it as it lies, similar to a ball being up a tree, or on top of a rock. If you don't wish to play it as it lies, then you can take an unplayable, which will cost you a one stroke penalty. .
What is considered an immovable obstruction in golf?
Immovable obstructions are artificial objects that are on the course for a good reason but aren't meant to interfere with the playing of our game. If an immovable obstruction interferes with your lie, stance and/or swing then you're eligible for free relief.
What is considered an outside influence?
"Outside influence" is a term used in the Rules of Golf for things that cause your golf ball at rest to move; or cause your moving golf ball to deflect or stop moving; and that are not you, your partner, your opponent (in match play), your caddies, the equipment of any of the above, or wind or water.
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.
Has anyone ever hit a bird with a golf ball?
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Kelly Kraft got a birdie, just not the one he wanted at the RBC Heritage. Kraft's ball hit a bird in flight on the par-3 14th hole, and the ball dropped into the water in front of the green.
Can you take relief from a fence in golf?
The one exception where you wouldn't receive relief are fences, walls, or anything that mark the boundary of the golf course.
Do you get line of sight relief from an immovable obstruction?
One is the unlikely event that when your ball is on the green an immovable obstruction intervenes in your line of play on the putting surface. The other you see on the professional tours a lot with temporary immovable obstructions. That's why they can take relief for 'line of sight' interference from a grandstand.
Do you get relief from tire tracks?
There is NO free relief from tyre tracks in the rules of golf however deep they may be. A committee would be entitled though to introduce a local rule permitting free relief from tyre tracks and other damage caused by course maintenance vehicles and equipment.
Do you get relief from a burrowing animal hole in a hazard?
Do you get free relief or is there a penalty? Rule 25-1c states that "it must be known or virtually certain that the ball is in" the burrowing animal hole. If you are not sure, you must treat it as a lost ball and proceed under Rule 27-1.
Do you get relief from a rabbit hole?
When your ball is in a rabbit hole, you get a free drop under Rule 16... but you must have a reasonable stroke into the back of the ball in order to get that free relief. However, in the instance in our video, without a reasonable stroke to the back of the ball you cannot get free relief from a rabbit hole.
What do you get relief from in golf?
If a ball is embedded in the rough, golfers are entitled to relief. If ball is embedded in a bunker, golfers can drop the ball out of the sand (while taking a two-stroke penalty).
What is an animal hole in golf?
'Animal Hole' in the New Rule Book And this is the official definition of "animal hole" in the new rules: "Any hole dug in the ground by an animal, except for holes dug by animals that are also defined as loose impediments (such as worms or insects).
Have a question for our Rules of Golf expert?
Despite the simplification of the Rules of Golf at the beginning of 2019, there are still some that leave us scratching our heads. And as I’ve passed the R&A’s level 2 rules exam with distinction, I am more than happy to help.
What is the reference point for a golf ball?
If the ball finishes off the green, your reference point is the estimated point right underneath where the ball first came to rest on the animal and you’ve got a one club relief area – no nearer the hole and in the same area of the course as the reference point .
What happens if a golf ball hits an animal on the green?
The ball must be played as it lies, except in a couple of circumstances. 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.
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 does "outside influence" mean?
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: “There is no penalty, and the ball must be placed on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated).”. A little peek at the definition of “outside influence” reveals it includes ...
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.
What does it mean when you have to have conclusive evidence?
That means there’s got to be conclusive evidence, which basically translates into either you’ve seen it happen or witnesses have done the same.
What happens if a golf ball hits an animal on the green?
If, when on the green, it accidentally hits an animal on the putting surface, the stroke doesn’t count and the ball must be replaced. The other is when a ball, played from anywhere except the green, comes to rest against an animal.
What is the rule for a ball that 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 to play golf with an animal?
Take a drop of one club length and no nearer the hole. If it comes to rest against an animal on the green, place the ball on the estimated spot “right under where the ball first came to rest” on the animal. Don’t play the ball as it lies as you’ll get a two shot penalty if you do. Rules of Golf.
What is the rule for a player whose ball is lifted or moved?
If your ball is lifted or moved then you are covered by Rule 9.6. It says that ‘if it is known or virtually certain that an outside influence lifted or moved a player’s 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’.
Can you play the ball as it lies?
Don’t play the ball as it lies as you’ll get a two shot penalty if you do.
Is golf full of critters?
Golf courses are full of critters so it’s not unusual that, occasionally, they get involved with a round. This is how you deal with it under the Rules of Golf
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A fox has stolen your ball and decides to bury it in a bunker, what is the ruling?
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You may replace your ball back in the estimated spot where the animal took it. You may also use another ball if the original one is now irretrievable.
What happens if a ball is not found?
(...Continued) that the ball came to rest in or on an abnormal course condition Abnormal Course Condition: Any of these four defined conditions: on the course Course: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: (...Continued), the player may use this relief option instead of taking stroke-and-distance Stroke and Distance: The procedure and penalty when a player takes relief under Rules 17, 18 or 19 by playing a ball from where the previous stroke was made (see Rule 14.6). (...Continued) relief:
What is free relief?
This Rule covers free relief that is allowed from interference by animal holes Animal Hole: Any hole dug in the ground by an animal, except for holes dug by animals that are also defined as loose impediments (such as worms or insects). (...Continued), ground under repair Ground Under Repair: Any part of the course the Committee defines to be ground under repair (whether by marking it or otherwise). Any defined ground under repair includes both: (...Continued), immovable obstructions Immovable Obstruction: Any obstruction that: (...Continued) or temporary water Temporary Water: Any temporary accumulation of water on the surface of the ground (such as puddles from rain or irrigation or an overflow from a body of water) that: (...Continued) :
What are the rules for putting greens?
If a player’s ball is on the putting green Putting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that: (...Continued) and there is interference by an abnormal course condition Abnormal Course Condition: Any of these four defined conditions: on the course Course: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: (...Continued), the player may take free relief by placing the original ball or another ball on the spot of the nearest point of complete relief Nearest Point of Complete Relief: The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition (Rule 16.1), dangerous animal condition (Rule 16.2), wrong green (Rule 13.1f ) or no play zone (Rules 16.1f and 17.1e ), or in taking relief under certain Local Rules. (...Continued), using the procedures for replacing Replace: To place a ball by setting it down and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play. (...Continued) a ball under Rules 14.2b (2) and 14.2e .
What is the general area of golf?
Must be in the general area General Area: The area of the course that covers all of the courseexcept for the other four defined areas: (1) the teeing area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing, (2) all penalty areas, (3) all bunkers, and (4) the putting green of the hole the player is playing. (...Continued) ,
What does "must not be nearer the hole" mean?
Must not be nearer the hole Hole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played: (...Continued) than the reference point, and
When playing the ball as it lies would be clearly unreasonable?
When playing the ball as it lies would be clearly unreasonable because of something other than an abnormal course condition Abnormal Course Condition : Any of these four defined conditions: (such as when a player is standing in temporary water Temporary Water: Any temporary accumulation of water on the surface of the ground (such as puddles from rain or irrigation or an overflow from a body of water) that: (...Continued) or on an immovable obstruction Immovable Obstruction: Any obstruction that: (...Continued) but would be unable to make a stroke Stroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. (...Continued) because of where the ball lies in a bush), or
What is the F-23 rule?
See Committee Procedures, Section 8; Model Local Rule F-23 (the Committee Committee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. (...Continued) may adopt a Local Rule allowing free relief from interference by temporary immovable obstructions on or off the course Course: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: (...Continued) ).
What is Exception 2 in putting green?
Exception 2 – When Ball Played from Putting Green Accidentally Hits Any Person, Animal or Movable Obstruction (Including Another Ball in Motion) on Putting Green: The stroke Stroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. (...Continued) does not count and the original ball or another ball must be replaced Replace: To place a ball by setting it down and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play. (...Continued) on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2 ), except in these two cases:
What is stroke play?
(...Continued) counts and the ball must be played as it lies. (See Rule 11.1a for whether a penalty applies in stroke play Stroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition. (...Continued) ).
What is the rule for a ball in motion hitting a flagstick?
Ball in Motion Accidentally Hits Flagstick or Person Attending Flagstick. This is covered by Rule 13.2b (2), not by this Rule.
When ball would have come to rest out of bounds?
When Ball Would Have Come to Rest Out of Bounds. The player must take stroke-and-distance Stroke and Distance: The procedure and penalty when a player takes relief under Rules 17, 18 or 19 by playing a ball from where the previous stroke was made (see Rule 14.6). (...Continued) relief under Rule 18.2 .
What happens if a ball is played as it lies?
Ball Must Be Played as It Lies. If a player’s ball in motion accidentally hits any person or outside influence Outside Influence: Any of these people or things that can affect what happens to a player’s ball or equipment or to the course:, the ball must be played as it lies, except in two situations:
What is the purpose of Rule 11?
Purpose of Rule: Rule 11 covers what to do if the player’s ball in motion hits a person, animal, equipment or anything else on the course. When this happens accidentally, there is no penalty and the player normally must accept the result, whether favourable or not, and play the ball from where it comes to rest.
What is a reference point in golf?
Reference Point: The estimated point right under where the ball first came to rest on the person, animal Animal: Any living member of the animal kingdom (other than humans), including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (such as worms, insects, spiders and crustaceans). or moving outside influence Outside Influence: Any of these people or things that can affect what happens to a player’s ball or equipment or to the course: .
