Ball leaves the course!!

[Thierry]

Hi all,

So, playing a friendly game of match play with Midnight today and we came across a rules question we couldn't fathom so maybe someone can help us??

The 7th at our club is a long, straight par 4 which runs along the top of the course. Tight up against the left hand side of the fairway all the way from the tee box to the green is a hedgerow, the other side of which is the public road. A big hook from the driver today saw a ball disappear into the hedge so a provisional was played and off we went to look. The ball was found on the far side of the hedge, in the road verge and here's the question, could it be played or, because it has left the course (ie the clubs property), is it considered gone (like an OOB) and the provisional should be played??

We opted to continue with the "hooked ball" and picked up the provisional and the hole was halved in the end...

 

[Imurg]

There's probably something on the card along the lines of " a ball is out of bounds if it comes to rest beyond a boundary fence".
There may well be more OB's too.

So I'd say the ball was OB and the Provo should have been played.

 

[Dellboy]

I would say, as the ball has left the course it would be out of bounds, (out side the bounds of the course) but I'm sure on the card or local rules posted in the club house would have this covered.

 

[Thierry]

Thanks guys, knew there'd be a simple answer...

There's nothing on the card but I've just checked the local rules again and as well as marked OOB's, it states that any ball coming to rest beyond a boundary wall or fence is OOB. There is a fence inside the hedge so the ball was indeed OOB...

Doh!!!!!

 

[duncan mackie]

doesn't need a local rule

the rules cover it

"Out of Bounds

"Out of bounds’’ is beyond the boundaries of the course or any part of the course so marked by the Committee. "

 

[HawkeyeMS]

So the ball is no longer on the course and you decided it was in bounds? I have to say that is a rather strange interpretation IMHO.

 

[Colin L]

Head off to Whitekirk in East Lothian and you will find a local rule which in effect tells you your ball is still in play when it is out of bounds because the farmer's field beyond the boundary fence is to "be treated as" a lateral water hazard. The boundary fence is said to an integral part of the course. If you welly one into the field, no nonsense of playing a provisional ball - you are to proceed under R26. This is the actual wording:

Prohibited Area
The field to the left of the 1st hole will be treated as a lateral hazard (red staked area). Any ball inside the red stakes is in the hazard,; this includes being obstructed by the fence (the fence is an integral part of the course; no relief is given when obstructed). A player may attempt to play his ball if it is golf course side of the fence or he can take relief under Rule 26-1 (under penalty of one shot). Entering and playing from the field is prohibited. Please take relief under Rule 26-1, there are two options available ........

I've seen some and heard of many courses which wrongly define an area of rough or trees or whatever where balls are likely to be lost as lateral water hazards - I assume as a timesaver - but that's the first I've come across which defines an OOB as one.

 

[Foxholer]

Bleedin Heck. Had forgotten about that!

A definite timesaver though. I believe George owned that land, so figured he could make some sort of 'allowance'. I don't think I ever went 'next door' - at least not off the tee - and can't remember taking advantage of the, very dodgy, LR. I bet the ROs from the Nationwide Tour that used to play there had a laugh! I tended to get caught up half-way down the slope with a dodgy lie! Or up the bank across the other side of the fairway! That hole is certainly true to its name though - Awakener!