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what is the ruling if an animal picks up a golf ball & drops it into the cup?

by Hal Schimmel Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

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).

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

Can you hit a golf ball resting 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.

What happens if a golf ball hits an animal on Green?

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 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.

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.

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 is the rule 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.

Who is responsible for damage caused by a golf ball?

There is clear California case law on these points of law. However, if the golfer intentionally or recklessly hits a ball at a home/car, then the golfer may be responsible.

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.

What happens if your golf ball hits an animal?

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 an animal eats your golf ball?

So what exactly are you supposed to do if an animal moves your ball during a round? The good news is the rules are pretty simple when it comes to this problem, and no penalties will be dished out to player or animal.

Who is liable if a golf ball hits a house?

You break a window, you pay for it. The flip side of that coin is that homeowners should bear responsibility for golf ball damage since they assumed obvious risk by deciding to purchase a home near a golf course. Additionally, homeowner's insurance may handle the damage.

Who is responsible if you break a window on a golf course?

While the golfer who broke your window should own up and take responsibility, she is not legally responsible for the damage if she was otherwise playing normally. Golfers need to take ordinary care when playing, but sometimes even the best golfers will hit a wild shot.

Who is responsible for errant golf shot?

After researching the topic, I came to a fairly clear legal conclusion: A golfer is generally not liable for injuries or damages due to an errant shot by the golfer, except in situations in which the golfer is negligent, reckless, or acting with intent.

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 embedded ball in golf?

First and foremost let's define an embedded ball, which is a ball embedded in its own pitch-mark in the ground, in any closely mown area, through the green. Three requirements: In the ground. A ball is not considered embedded if it is embedded in grass, leaves or other loose impediments.

What is an immovable object in golf?

SwingU Instructor. 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 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.

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 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’. ...

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.

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

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 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 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 your golf ball hits a bird mid flight?

It would be an extremely unfortunate incident, both for yourself and for the bird, but if your ball is sailing towards the middle of the fairway and it strikes a bird mid-flight, it could end up anywhere. In 2018 at the Senior Open Championship at St Andrews, 18-time European Tour winner Mark James hit his tee shot at the 17th hole, ...

What happens if a ball hits someone?

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 a stroke if the ball is shifted?

You need to know or be virtually certain it happened – seeing your ball being shifted clearly qualifies – but if your ball is lifted or moved by an outside influence, which includes another player in stroke play, there is no penalty.

Did Phil Mickelson pick up the ball on the 11th hole?

Our Rules of Golf expert explains. Yes, a spectator really did pick up Phil Mickelson’s ball on the 11th hole in the final round of the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island. Beggars belief, I know. But it happens more than you think.

What is the rule for deciding what happened to a player's ball?

This Rule applies only when it is known or virtually certain Known or Virtually Certain: The standard for deciding what happened to a player’s ball – for example, whether the ball came to rest in a penalty area, whether it moved or what caused it to move. (...Continued) that the opponent Opponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. (including the opponent’s Opponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. caddie Caddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways: (...Continued)) lifted a player’s ball at rest or caused it to move Moved: When a ball at rest has left its original spot and come to rest on any other spot, and this can be seen by the naked eye (whether or not anyone actually sees it do so). (...Continued) .

What is the penalty for a ball from a wrong place?

(... Continued) in Breach of Rule 9.1: General Penalty Under Rule 6.3b or 14.7a.

What is the exception to the "lift" rule?

Exception 1 – Player Allowed to Lift or Move Ball: There is no penalty when the player lifts the ball or causes it to move Moved: When a ball at rest has left its original spot and come to rest on any other spot, and this can be seen by the naked eye (whether or not anyone actually sees it do so). (...

What happens when a player touches his or her ball at rest?

If the player lifts or deliberately touches his or her ball at rest or causes it to move Moved: When a ball at rest has left its original spot and come to rest on any other spot, and this can be seen by the naked eye (whether or not anyone actually sees it do so). (...Continued), the player gets one penalty stroke .

What happens if a ball is at rest?

If a ball at rest is lifted or moved by anyone or any outside influence before the stroke is made, the ball must be replaced on its original spot. Players should take care when near any ball at rest, and a player who causes his or her own ball or an opponent’s ball to move will normally get a penalty (except on the putting green). ...

What to do if a ball-marker?

This Rule covers what to do if 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, an object made to be a ball-mark er or another small piece of equipment. (...Continued) that is marking Mark: To show the spot where a ball is at rest by either: (...Continued) the spot of a lifted ball is lifted or moved before the ball is replaced Replace: To place a ball by setting it down and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play. (...Continued) .

What is the definition of an opponent in a match?

in match play Match Play: A form of play where a player or side plays directly against an opponent or opposing side in a head-to-head match of one or more rounds: (...Continued), including the opponent’s Opponent: The person a player competes against in a match.

What happens if you forget to put the ball on the green?

If you forget and lift the ball off the green without marking its spot, you get a penalty stroke. And if this does ever happen, make sure you put the ball back where it was before cracking on.

Did Jon Rahm pick up his ball?

Yes, Jon Rahm got caught out with this rare lapse in concentration when he picked up his ball without marking it on the 5th green at Olympia Fields in the second round of last year’s BMW Championship. Cue lots of headlines shouting about ‘bizarre’ rules breaches.

Can you clean a ball on the putting green?

A ball on the putting green can be lifted and cleaned but it also needs to be replaced on its original spot. Rule 14.1a – Spot of the Ball to Be Lifted and Replaced Must Be Marked – explains that before you lift it, you’ve got to mark that spot.

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