Is this stealing?

[Ranger]

If you get a bucket of balls at the range, and find a brand new pro V1 amongst the range balls, do you put it in your pocket? This is theft too I imagine?

I'm now unable to look at myself in the mirror

 

[Ranger]

At one of my previous courses we had a driving range that would dispense a minimum of 30 balls. Before a round that would be too much for me, a quick warm up of 10-15 balls was more than enough. So I used to hit 15, take the rest home with me and use them the following week. I felt a bit naughty doing it but never viewed it as stealing as I was bringing them back.

Personally I'd say that's bang out of order.

 

[timd77]

Personally I'd say that's bang out of order.

Yeh, I probably agree, as I say, felt naughty doing it.

 

[Orikoru]

I agree... unless you then slice them back on to the golf course

Well you have to put them back where you found them!

If you get a bucket of balls at the range, and find a brand new pro V1 amongst the range balls, do you put it in your pocket? This is theft too I imagine?

I would never do that, I'd expect it to have been absolutely battered by the ball machine(s) to the point of being unrecognisable.

 

[jim8flog]

If you get a bucket of balls at the range, and find a brand new pro V1 amongst the range balls, do you put it in your pocket? This is theft too I imagine?

Yes, any ball found on the course that is not yours is the property of the golf course. This has been decided by the court and is the basis for prosecuting the lake divers who recover balls and do so without permission from the owners of the course. We once had an edict where I play that all balls found on the course must be given to the pro shop (who used to sell them with the money going to charity).

 

[Ranger]

Yeh, I probably agree, as I say, felt naughty doing it.

I've saved a few after a morning warm up session to hit at lunchtime in a 36 hole comp, not I've taken any home for a week in the car though

 

[RichA]

Yes, any ball found on the course that is not yours is the property of the golf course. This has been decided by the court and is the basis for prosecuting the lake divers who recover balls and do so without permission from the owners of the course. We once had an edict where I play that all balls found on the course must be given to the pro shop (who used to sell them with the money going to charity).

All the balls that I find on the golf course are mine.

 

[The Squirrel]

If I lose 3 balls on the course but find and take home 3 of someone else’s, is that stealing?

 

[IanM]

If you get a bucket of balls at the range, and find a brand new pro V1 amongst the range balls, do you put it in your pocket? This is theft too I imagine?

Unless they are supplying them as range balls, "nemo dat quod non habet" applies!

At least, I'd be claiming that a the Police Station

 

[Ranger]

We once had an edict where I play that all balls found on the course must be given to the pro shop (who used to sell them with the money going to charity).

That is easily one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard, where does the game of golf constantly dig up people responsible for this sort of ruling?

 

[Petercool]

Well, he didn't mention that in the original post, so if he did then the whole question would be irrelevant.

Plus, when someone says "at a 9 hole course near me", that is not the normal wording of someone who is a member of that course, normally we'd say "at my club" or something like that.

I’m actually a member at the 9 hole course as I get 100 balls a day at the range.

I’m also a member at a much better course (private) 20 mins away.

I’m actually a member at a 3rd course too.