What happens if an animal grabs your golf ball?

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 when a seagull takes your golf ball?

According to Rule 9.6, “If it is known or virtually certain that an outside influence (including another player in stroke play or another ball) lifted or moved a player’s ball” the player’s ball “must be replaced to its original spot.” With the help of an official and an eye-witness, the original spot was determined.

What happens if a bird picks up your golf ball and drops it in the water?

The USGA and R&A amended the rule in 2016, so the penalty is no longer a DQ for the first breach of Rule 14-3; it’s two shots in stroke play or loss of hole in match play. The penalty for any subsequent breach of Rule 14-3 is disqualification.

Do you get relief from man made objects in golf?

Your ball lies next to a sprinkler head, an electric box, a 150-yard post or another man-made object typically found on a golf course. These objects are considered obstructions (Rule 24), and you’re entitled to relief without penalty if your ball, stance or swing is interfered with by an obstruction.

What happens if someone picks up your golf ball?

Penalty for Lifting or Deliberately Touching Ball or Causing It to Move. If the player lifts or deliberately touches his or her ball at rest or causes it to move, the player gets one penalty stroke.

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 golf ball hits an animal on Green?

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. 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.

Do you have to replace a ball picked up by a bird?

Neither you nor the bird are getting what you want out of this deal. 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).

Is there a penalty for dropping the club from a birdie?

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. A lot of great players “drop” the club at the top of their swing and have a flatter plane coming back at the ball.