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what happens when an animal interferes with a golf ball

by Tyrese Abernathy Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

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).

If your ball is moved by an outside influence, such as an animal or a spectator, there is no penalty to anyone and the ball must be replaced. If your ball is moved by a natural force, such as wind, water, or gravity, you will usually play the ball from its new location without penalty.

Full Answer

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 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 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 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.

What animal steals golf balls?

foxA fox on Skidaway Island in Georgia has taken up golf—or at least golf balls. The red fox, with a bushy tail and black stockings on his front legs, snatches up golf balls on one of The Landings' courses and prances off with them, the Savannah (Ga.)

What do foxes do with golf balls?

0:311:51Fox steals golf balls - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce the balls fly the hazards come into play water sand. And Fox usually the the first comment isMoreOnce the balls fly the hazards come into play water sand. And Fox usually the the first comment is what's the deal you know what the Fox.

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.

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.

Do any animals collect golf balls?

Crows and ravens are particularly fond of round objects, which they mistake for nuts or eggs. They often snatch them off golf courses and driving ranges. They then fly away with them and try to crack them open by pecking at them or dropping them from the air. Gulls also will take golf balls and try to open them.

Why do foxes bury golf balls?

A red fox buries its kill in a bunker at Flanders Golf Course. However, red foxes are known to be lazy animals that do not want to expend extra energy protecting their territory from other animals. So to avoid this, they will often bury their kill away from their territory and come back later to finish off the meal.

Do foxes take balls?

Wild foxes apparently like to play with balls that are left overnight in the backyard.

Do foxes play with balls?

Foxes love to play, particularly with things that smell good – old shoes, dog chews, balls and gardening gloves are favourite items.

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 happens if my golf ball goes down a rabbit hole?

#1 - Golf ball in 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.

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 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.

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.

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 ball being lifted?

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’. ...

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.

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 is the rule for hitting someone outside of the ball?

And there's also Rule 11.1 (Your Ball In Motion Accidentally Hits Person or Outside Influence). There is typically no penalty to anyone, and the ball should be played as it lies after hitting an outside influence while the ball is in motion.

What is a stray golf ball?

a stray golf ball played by a golfer on some other hole that comes bounding onto the hole you are playing; objects being blown by the wind that then hit your golf ball. The wind itself is not an outside agency, but for example, a tumbleweed blowing across the course is an outside agency.

What does outside influence mean in golf?

"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. ...

Is a golf cart an outside agency?

Equipment of yourself or your side in stroke play, or, in match play, yourself and either side in the match, is not an outside agency. That includes things such as the golf cart (whether motorized or a pull cart) and player's towels.

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:

When a ball would have come to rest anywhere on course except on putting green?

(...Continued) the original ball or another ball in this relief area Relief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. Each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors: (...Continued) (see Rule 14.3 ):

What is the general penalty in tennis?

A player gets the general penalty General Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. if he or she deliberately deflects or stops any ball in motion.

What is a ball marker?

For a player’s right to have a ball or ball-marker Ball-Marker: An artificial object when used to mark the spot of a ball to be lifted, such as a tee, a coin, an object made to be a ball-marker or another small piece of equipment. (...

What is a continued ball?

Continued) is made if he or she reasonably believes the ball or ball-marker Ball-Marker: An artificial object when used to mark the spot of a ball to be lifted, such as a tee, a coin, an object made to be a ball-marker or another small piece of equipment.

What does "ball in motion" mean?

A person deliberately touches the ball in motion, or. The ball in motion hits any equipment Equipment: Anything used, worn, held or carried by the player or the player’s caddie. (... Continued) or other object ( except a ball-marker Ball-Marker: An artificial object when used to mark the spot of a ball to be lifted, such as a tee, a coin, ...

What is Rule 11 golf?

Rule 11 also restricts a player from deliberately taking actions to affect where any ball in motion might come to rest. This Rule applies any time a ball in play In Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole: (...Continued) is in motion ...

Definition of 'Outside Influence' in The Rules of Golf

What Happens When A Outside Influence Moves Your Ball?

  • The definition of outside influence is most pertinent in the rule book in two particular rules. First, "outside influence" is used in several places in Rule 9, but Rule 9.6 (Ball Lifted or Moved by Outside Influence)is directly on point. The Player's Edition of the rule book makes things pretty simple: And there's also Rule 11.1 (Your Ball In Motio...
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More Examples to Explain Outside Influences

  • Among the things that qualify as outside influences: a match referee, a marker (when the marker is not your partner or your opponent), an observer, a forecaddie. Some more examples of things that areoutside agencies: 1. A dog that scoops up your ball, a bird that flies away with it (both these things have happened more than once in pro tournaments), a squirrel that deflects it; 2. sp…
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