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.
What happens if a bird moves my golf 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 “any animal”. Don’t worry, either, if that crow has made your ball a pivotal part of its new nest and it’s gone forever.
What happens if a dog moves your golf ball?
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). … The ball must be played as it lies, except in two circumstances.
What happens if an animal eats your golf ball?
Anyone know the rule for a mongoose attack on your golf ball? … If you’re on the putting green and your ball in motion is deflected or moved by an animal or other outside influence, the stroke does not count, and you must place the ball on its original spot and hit the putt again.
What animal steals 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 happens if your golf ball lands in a hole?
Answer: No, you cannot move a golf ball out of a divot hole even when that divot is in the fairway – at least, not without penalty. (You can declare the ball unplayable, assess yourself a 1-stroke penalty, and drop.) This is probably one of the more disliked rules in the game by golfers of all skill levels.
Do birds pick up golf balls?
Often golf balls are found in birds nests near a golf course. The balls may be deposited by birds or accidentally by golfers. … In 1968 ravens repeatedly swooped down and stole golf balls during the Yellowknife Golf Course “Round the Clock” tournament.
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.
Can you drop a ball out of a bunker?
Players are still allowed to drop in the bunker within two club-lengths of the ball, or, behind the ball on a straight line from the hole, for one penalty stroke. … Giving players the option to drop out of the bunker also improves their chances of finishing the hole and speeding up play.
Why do crows take golf balls?
Some suggest crows were attracted to the balls because they think they’re eggs or food. Stolen balls were often found damaged. “They hack into them,” Dave said. Another theory was that the crows pinch the balls for fun.
What must a player do if they accidentally cause their ball to move when on the course?
In the general area, bunkers and penalty areas, if you, your caddie or your playing partner accidentally cause the ball to move, you will get a one-shot penalty and you must replace the ball in its original position.
Do foxes bury golf balls?
But rather than chasing his prize around 18 holes, the six-month old animal prefers to put his balls in the ground permanently by burying them and spraying them with his scent for a later game. … ‘I had heard from other golfers that one individual was picking up their golf balls and burying them.
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.