Ball in Motion on Green Hits Robotic Mower

[mikejohnchapman]

A group of us attended a rules quiz recently at a club which has deployed a fleet of robotic mowers. Several questions referred to interaction with mowers - most of which were pretty obvious. However, one related to a putt on a green hitting a mower and going into the hole. The answer was it was holed. The logic being the mower was an outside influence and the ball should be played as it lies (IE in the hole).

My instinctive answer was the shot should be replayed without penalty but try as I might I cannot find any definitive answer in the rules.

I appreciate we are getting into "ask the umpire on TMS" territory here but with robotic mower becoming ever more popular it did make me wonder.

Anybody got any experience of something like this?

 

[backwoodsman]

I'd suggest that 11.1b(2) confirms your belief that the stroke should be re-played

 

[nickjdavis]

I'd suggest that 11.1b(2) confirms your belief that the stroke should be re-played

mmm....not convinced its that clear cut.

the Robotic Mower is either an "outside influence" or a "movable obstruction"....I'm not sure it can be both but I can see arguments either way as to which one it should/could be.

In the former case then play the ball as it lies...i.e. its holed; but in the latter then yes the shot should be replayed.

 

[rulie]

mmm....not convinced its that clear cut.

the Robotic Mower is either an "outside influence" or a "movable obstruction"....I'm not sure it can be both but I can see arguments either way as to which one it should/could be.

In the former case then play the ball as it lies...i.e. its holed; but in the latter then yes the shot should be replayed.

Did you look at the definition of outside influence, part of which says, "any natural or artificial object or anything else, except for natural forces"?
Would it be different if the ball had hit a mower being driven by a person?
But then, definition of obstruction also says "golf carts, mowers, cars and other vehicles"
Perhaps confirm with the R&A.