Talk of The Villages Florida - Golf Ball Snatcher

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Quote:

Originally Posted by PPreu (Post 487833)

There is a rule in the USGA specifically governing this type of "activity". I dont have it in front of me, so Im paraphrasing. "If an outside force moves the golf ball, the ball is to be replaced as near as is possible to its original position, with no penalty." Basically this is for the occasional animal, which I have seen, that picks up a golf ball and takes off with it. (NOPE, NOT CALLING SAID WOMAN AN ANIMAL, though a retriever is a type of dog!)

Now, seeing as it was apparently OB, when moved by the outside force, all bets are off and it is to be played as an OB, that is re-hitting from the original spot, incurring a two stroke penalty.

Whew, I need a beer!

I love Golf. Most of the Golf played here on the executive courses doesn't remotely resemble the game I have played for 40 years.....and I am not complaining. It is kinda nice to once again hear a discussion on rules. I certainly have heard a lot of them over time. I used to be so interested in doing it right and listening to the debates on rules...and now I don't keep score and neither do most of the girls I play golf with. However...I am hitting them straighter than I ever did, but not nearly as long. But oh it is more fun than it ever was.

There are unusual and wonderful things that happen as we age. Not keeping score on the golf course and not caring about competing like I once did is one of them for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PPreu (Post 487833)

Isn't it a "strike and distance" penalty, I.e just one stroke penalty, but must hit from original spot?

There is no such thing as a lost ball, someone will eventually find it, and, use it.

Which reminds me of another story... (What a surprise?, my family would cry)..

We're having a birthday party for our large, extended family - maybe 50 of us - at a small, public country club. We rented a room ( a large room) and we had the place to ourselves. The little kids were all running around outside, having fun, and they came into the club showing us the golf balls they found.

"Where did you find them?" one of us asked. "On that grass out front." one of them said.

Oh my. We went outside and there were 4 golfers, walking toward the 18th green.

We apologized, gave them back their balls (of course) and after they dropped their balls and putted out, we bought them a couple of pitchers of beer.

They were nice guys, they had a good laugh about it.

This reminds me of a story back when I was living up north. This was many years ago. I was playing a long par 3 and pulled my shot way left of the green. My ball hit a big oak tree and bounced around in the limbs. I thought it might end up in someone's yard but when I got to the green, I found my ball only 2-3 feet from the flag. It was my first birdie.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pturner (Post 487882)

Isn't it a "strike and distance" penalty, I.e just one stroke penalty, but must hit from original spot?

Strike and distance.... you bowlers kill me :a20:

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac (Post 487370)

The street is OB. Designations for OB are found on the scorecard. In this case it is the "inside edge of street curbs". He should have hit a "provisional" from the tee box if he was not sure it was OB. In a tounament, if he discovered ball#1 was in fact OB he plays the "provisional" (hitting 3). If he did not hit a provisional, he must go back to the tee and hit again (hitting 3). In casual play in this situation, we sometimes drop it inbounds to save time but that is not the correct procedure.

You are correct!!!! Out of Bounds!! Tee up again. LOL Even on Executives. But I was amused by the people getting out of car, for "just a ball". And we worry about cart accidents!!!:confused::shrug::rolleyes: Only in The Villages.

Quote:

Originally Posted by entemedor (Post 487935)

Now thats good golf ediquette!!!!! Nothing like the 19nth hole.:coolsmiley::a040:

:bigbow:Thanks to all who quoted the rules book. Of course, you are all correct. BUT, since no one I play with is getting paid and we are out there for fun and practice, we played on. A provisional was somewhat out of the question..something about keeping the game moving along not to jam up the course. I might have hit one if the drama didn't start to unfold....you gotta love this place.

You are all awesome!