Influencing a ball in flight

[John Thornton]

Hi Everyone,

This is purely hypothetical but I'm doing research for a book about a man who could, using only his mind, influence a golf ball in flight (make a cut cut a little more or a hook hook a little less, etc) No one knows he is doing it and it cannot be proven that he is doing it. Would it be considered a penalty under the Rules of Golf? I know it's a crazy question but I world really appreciate any comments.
Thank you
John Thornton, Singapore

 

[rulefan]

Read Rule 11.2 carefully and see if such activity is penalised.

https://www.usga.org/content/usga/h...etype=fr&section=rule&rulenum=11&subrulenum=2

 

[John Thornton]

Thanks, but I'm not sure it really answers my question. This is all hypothetical but I don't t think 11.2 or 11.3 really addresses it.

 

[rudebhoy]

I've tried this often, but never mastered it. Any tips?

 

[clubchamp98]

You try and influence the flight of the ball with your hands/ club.
So I can’t see why you can’t use your mind!
I hear “ come on fade/ draw a bit more “ all the time at my club.
So if it does fade/ draw more can they be penalised..?
Great question but I don’t think there is an answer.
I would not fancy playing someone who could do that though.

 

[John Thornton]

You'll have to read the book but I need input on the question. Is it a penalty?
Also, is it cheating? Every golfer says the same things every round: sit down, get up, cut, stop, etc. But only the character in my book can actually make it happen. He has a dilemma, however. Is he actually cheating?

 

[John Thornton]

You try and influence the flight of the ball with your hands/ club.
So I can’t see why you can’t use your mind!
I hear “ come on fade/ draw a bit more “ all the time at my club.
So if it does fade/ draw more can they be penalised..?
Great question but I don’t think there is an answer.
I would not fancy playing someone who could do that though.

 

[John Thornton]

Thanks for your reply. I'm still struggling with an answer myself.

 

[rudebhoy]

You'll have to read the book but I need input on the question. Is it a penalty?
Also, is it cheating? Every golfer says the same things every round: sit down, get up, cut, stop, etc. But only the character in my book can actually make it happen. He has a dilemma, however. Is he actually cheating?

can he influence his opponent's ball as well?

 

[Jimaroid]

I would say the key aspect is "ball in motion" as we understand our physical universe. Golf is a game based on some philosophical truths, although not stated we assume these to be true; golf is game played within our universe of natural philosophy (physics) and it is implied impossible for a human to influence a ball under motion of "nature's flight". The challenge of the game is to get the ball to a target within the natural philosophy of constraints and all a human can do is determine the input characteristics - we calculate the intended directional inputs and hope we get close to our prediction after the ball is struck.

If the conundrum is a unique human able to control a ball in motion, playing in this universe of physical truths, then I would say its cheating.

If the conundrum is a unique human playing in a different universe of physical truths, where the ability to affect a ball in motion must exist by definition, it isn't cheating as it would be consistent with the natural philosophy of the game in that universe.

So I think the answer lies with you as the writer of this fiction. Has the protagonist moved universe perhaps?

 

[IanG]

Perhaps a legal tussle with the USGA and R&A over the legality could form a subplot of your book

 

[rulefan]

Thanks, but I'm not sure it really answers my question. This is all hypothetical but I don't t think 11.2 or 11.3 really addresses it.

If it doesn't say you can't, then you may.

There is no other rule than 11.2 which involves deliberately influencing a ball in motion.
11.2 is specifically restricted to the actions :

• A person deliberately touches the ball in motion, or
• The ball in motion hits any equipment or other object

Therefore , "using only his mind" is not prohibited and so there is no penalty.

 

[clubchamp98]

You'll have to read the book but I need input on the question. Is it a penalty?
Also, is it cheating? Every golfer says the same things every round: sit down, get up, cut, stop, etc. But only the character in my book can actually make it happen. He has a dilemma, however. Is he actually cheating?

Yes.
You can’t influence the ball after the stroke imo.
It’s the same as kicking it in principal.

 

[IanG]

How about blowing the ball into the hole with leaf blower ?

 

[clubchamp98]

Perhaps a legal tussle with the USGA and R&A over the legality could form a subplot of your book

As long as UEFA aren’t involved if a footballer could do it as well.!

 

[Ethan]

Hi Everyone,

This is purely hypothetical but I'm doing research for a book about a man who could, using only his mind, influence a golf ball in flight (make a cut cut a little more or a hook hook a little less, etc) No one knows he is doing it and it cannot be proven that he is doing it. Would it be considered a penalty under the Rules of Golf? I know it's a crazy question but I world really appreciate any comments.
Thank you
John Thornton, Singapore

No penalty. Imaginary effects are not banned in the Rules. Neither is wearing your lucky pants because the last time you did so you birdied the first.

 

[clubchamp98]

How about blowing the ball into the hole with leaf blower ?

You can only have 14 leaf blowers.
But they won’t conform.

 

[clubchamp98]

Can't believe this lunacy has actually received sensible answers ??

In the house on my own!

 

[Jimaroid]

If it doesn't say you can't, then you may.

But that's the paradox. If it were known to be possible the rules would state you can't. Theoretically speaking.

 

[chrisd]

Hmmm influencing the ball after you've hit it....

Is this Kim Jong Il we're talking about?

To be fair, I managed to influence your ball after you'd hit it ?