Animal scrape in a bunker

[richart]

Playing today my partner hit a shot that caught the outside lip of a bunker which threw it in to the middle of the sand. When we got to the bunker there was no sign of the ball, and only on closer inspection did I find a hole about 6 inches deep, with a heap of sand beside it, and my ball at the bottom of the hole. Not sure what the ruling was so played the ball on the basis that it was a hazard, and no relief. Was I right ?

 

[AmandaJR]

I'd have said it was abnormal conditions caused by a burrowing animal so a free drop, in the bunker, nearest point of relief, no nearer the pin?

Although...what proof of it being a burrowing animal?? Hmmm...

 

[richart]

I'd have said it was abnormal conditions caused by a burrowing animal so a free drop, in the bunker, nearest point of relief, no nearer the pin?

Although...what proof of it being a burrowing animal?? Hmmm...

Foot prints, heap of sand beside hole. We all agreed it was an animal, but not sure if you could get relief in a hazard.

 

[drawboy]

Why oh why oh why isn't the head of a stupid golfers sand wedge the same as a burrowing animal? why should golfers have to pay a penalty for some idiots lack of etiquette. One of golfs worst rules. Put it right R&A you divs

 

[AmandaJR]

Foot prints, heap of sand beside hole. We all agreed it was an animal, but not sure if you could get relief in a hazard.

I thought so, for bunkers - relief has to be taken inside the bunker though...

Found it: http://golf.about.com/cs/rulesofgolf/a/rule25.htm

 

[Imurg]

Doesn't it need to be a burrowing animal..?

 

[rosecott]

I thought so, for bunkers - relief has to be taken inside the bunker though...

Found it: http://golf.about.com/cs/rulesofgolf/a/rule25.htm

Unless it can be seen to be in a rabbit hole just below the face of the bunker. In that case the NPR is vertically up from where the ball lies and could be outside the bunker above on the front bank of the bunker.

 

[delc]

Doesn't it need to be a burrowing animal..?

Yes, or a reptile or bird!

Definition of an abnormal ground condition:

An "abnormal ground condition" is any casual water, ground under repair or hole, cast or runway on the course made by a burrowing animal, a reptile or a bird.

You are allowed relief from such a condition, within one club length of the nearest point of relief, not nearer the hole. If in a bunker you have to drop within the bunker. If this is not possible you have to drop the ball outside the bunker under penalty of one stroke. See Rule 25-1b.

 

[Colin L]

Yes, you first must determine that the hole was made by a burrowing animal (such as a rabbit), or by a bird or by a reptile.
Then, if sure that it was, relief may be taken

in the bunker, without penalty by dropping within a club length of the nearest point of relief (which if full relief is not possible, may be where it gives maximum relief);

outside the bunker with a 1 stroke penalty, dropping on the line from the hole through where your ball lay as far back as you like.

As always you also have the option of playing from where you played your last shot with a 1 stroke penalty.

Rule 25-1b(ii) refers.

 

[Imurg]

So, unless there is specific evidence of the burrowing animal, bird or reptile - like discernible footprints, poo etc- or you see the animal making the hole then you're screwed....

 

[richart]

I didn't take relief, but fortunately scraped a half, as the opponents three putted and we got down in two more.

Would you get relief from animal footprints ? We get a lot of deer on the course, and they seem to love running through our bunkers.

 

[Colin L]

Or the evidence might be the hole itself. A hole that disappears tunnel like into the ground would suggest a burrowing animal.

 

[delc]

I didn't take relief, but fortunately scraped a half, as the opponents three putted and we got down in two more.

Would you get relief from animal footprints ? We get a lot of deer on the course, and they seem to love running through our bunkers.

Unfortunately no relief unless you have a local rule to that effect. Deer are not 'burrowing animals'.

 

[rosecott]

Unless it can be seen to be in a rabbit hole just below the face of the bunker. In that case the NPR is vertically up from where the ball lies and could be outside the bunker above on the front bank of the bunker.

Just to clarify:

If the ball has entered the rabbit hole and come to rest beyond the margin of the bunker, it is no longer within the bunker and the NPR is vertically above where the ball lies. If the ball was seen to enter the rabbit hole but cannot be seen to be identified and recovered then the NPR is measured from where the ball entered the rabbit hole i.e. within the bunker.

 

[chrisd]

Unfortunately no relief unless you have a local rule to that effect. Deer are not 'burrowing animals'.

Why then can I never find the venison steaks in my freezer without taking most of the contents out?

 

[MashieNiblick]

I've always thought it odd that you only get relief from holes made by animals that burrow for a living as it were, like rabbits and badgers, and doesn't include those who just fancied a bit of casual burrowing, maybe to try it out or because they were bored, like a dog. Could "burrowing animal" not include an animal that, whilst not a professional burrower, happened to be doing a bit of amateur burrowing.

Maybe goes back to old "gentlemen" and "players" distinctions of ye olden days.

 

[Slab]

Yes, you first must determine that the hole was made by a burrowing animal (such as a rabbit), or by a bird or by a reptile.
Then, if sure that it was, relief may be taken ....

Hi Colin, we've a local rule at one of the courses that covers holes made by burrowing crabs as they make quite a few holes in and out of bunkers, do you reckon the LR is needed due to a crab being a crustacean and not covered by animal, bird or reptile

 

[Colin L]

Why is a crustacean not an animal?

 

[delc]

Why is a crustacean not an animal?

Good question! Technically speaking any living creature that is not a plant is an animal. So, insects, fish, crabs, rabbits deer and just about any other critters you can think of are animals. Perhaps the definition should be charged to Burrowing mammals, marsupials (for Australia and South America), reptiles or birds?

 

[Slab]

Why is a crustacean not an animal?

Hence the smiley
I thought a crustacean was an animal in the same sense that a reptile was an animal yet the latter gets a special mention as a sub species