The Rules of Golf are tricky! Thankfully, we’ve got the guru. Our Rules Guy knows the book front to back. Got a question? He’s got all the answers.
During a recent round, my tee shot forcefully struck a robot lawnmower, was deflected at 90 degrees, and went out of bounds. Without the deflection, the shot clearly would have been on the fairway. My playing partner was of the opinion that the lawnmower was an outside influence, and that I should replay the shot with no penalty. I wasn’t so sure and reloaded for 3 off the tee. Who was right? —John Deacon, via email
Did the robot not hear you yell, “Fore!”?
Sadly, the reload was the correct call. Your playing partner was right about the status of the lawnmower — it does fit into the outside influence category under the Rules. Unfortunately, however, that fact doesn’t change the ruling, because a ball played from off the putting green that is accidentally deflected by any outside influence is just played as it lies — which is this case means taking the penalty and playing again from the previous spot, per Rule 11.1.
Perhaps next time, clanking on off R2D2 will redound in your favor.
For more bad-bounce guidance from our guru, read on …
Rules Guy: Where do you drop a ball that carries a penalty area, but ricochets backward into it?
A few weeks ago, I hit a perfect slam-dunk shot on a par 3…but our club has placed 2-inch pool noodles in the holes for COVID-19 reasons, and the ball bounced out. Our club pro said it was an ace. The state golf association said it probably was, too, but not having seen it suggested I talk with my fellow players. They all agreed the ball had landed directly in the hole. Do you agree that it was a hole-in-one (with an asterisk)?—Dennis Doherty, Lexington, Ky.
Dennis, there are no pictures on the scorecard, nor asterisks, question marks or parallelograms….The USGA hasn’t changed its guidance in terms of when a ball is considered holed.
It has to be, yes, holed…or with the limited exception of it resting against the flagstick with some portion of the ball below the surface.
Otherwise, sorry, you’ve got to play on, noodle or not.
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Got a question about the Rules? Ask the Rules Guy! Send your queries, confusions and comments to rulesguy@golf.com. We promise he won’t throw the book at you.
