Linda
There was a situation today where a friend flew a pond on
the right & the ball bounced left onto the fairway. All 4 in the group
confirmed. However the ball could not be found. There is a drain in the area
where the ball landed. The ground area around the drain cover has holes
where the ball could disappear.
What would be the ruling? It doesn't seem fair to count it as
a lost ball. It seems similar to an animal hole. It has been reported before,
but the golf club has done nothing to fix it.
Thanks,
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
If it is known or virtually certain that the ball is lost
under the drain, the player is entitled to relief for a ball lost in an
immovable obstruction. She may substitute another ball, and drop it within one
club-length of the nearest point of relief no closer to the hole [Rule 24-3b].
You must be absolutely certain that the ball is under the
drain. If it could be anywhere else, or anyone in the group doubts the ball is
there, the player has a lost ball (one stroke penalty and hit the next shot
from where the previous ball was hit).
Linda
Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
