Leaf Blower....

[Steven Rules]

It may or may not be relevant but the old decision 18-1/2 still has the same effect in that "artificially-propelled air" is an 'outside agency' (as was)

It's still in Interpretation Outside Influence/1.

 

[backwoodsman]

There is no penalty if using a leaf blower to search and the ball is accidentally moved in this process. Replace ball and carry on. This is a USGA ruling.

Interesting. Although, to me at least, a bit bizarre. If that's the ruling, then so be it - but I'm still having difficulty with the concept of 'accidental' in the circumstances.

Is there a link or a reference you can share as it would be of interest to see the context of what/how they said it?

 

[salfordlad]

Interesting. Although, to me at least, a bit bizarre. If that's the ruling, then so be it - but I'm still having difficulty with the concept of 'accidental' in the circumstances.

Is there a link or a reference you can share as it would be of interest to see the context of what/how they said it?

I have seen this answer in a number of places, including this direct source.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/RulesOfGolf/permalink/3478976468824691/?app=fbl

 

[Swango1980]

Interesting. Although, to me at least, a bit bizarre. If that's the ruling, then so be it - but I'm still having difficulty with the concept of 'accidental' in the circumstances.

Is there a link or a reference you can share as it would be of interest to see the context of what/how they said it?

But, if you were kicking leaves away to try and find your ball, and you kicked the ball, is it not just a similar scenario. Yes, you deliberately moved your foot, but it was not for the intentional purpose of moving your ball. So, is the same not true in the unusual circumstance someone is using a leaf blower? I doubt they are intentionally trying to move their ball, thus any movement of the ball would be accidental.

 

[backwoodsman]

I have seen this answer in a number of places, including this direct source.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/RulesOfGolf/permalink/3478976468824691/?app=fbl

Ta

 

[backwoodsman]

But, if you were kicking leaves away to try and find your ball, and you kicked the ball, is it not just a similar scenario. Yes, you deliberately moved your foot, but it was not for the intentional purpose of moving your ball. So, is the same not true in the unusual circumstance someone is using a leaf blower? I doubt they are intentionally trying to move their ball, thus any movement of the ball would be accidental.

I'd regard that (probably erroneously) as rather an incautious method of searching and so presume a penalty is incurred. But probably wrongly.

 

[Deleted member 30522]

I'd regard that (probably erroneously) as rather an incautious method of searching and so presume a penalty is incurred. But probably wrongly.

Your own facebook link has a direct reply from the USGA saying it's perfectly fine.

 

[salfordlad]

I'd regard that (probably erroneously) as rather an incautious method of searching and so presume a penalty is incurred. But probably wrongly.

There's a ball search video on the R&A and USGA sites relating to the 2019 Rules showing a person swishing their foot around in longish grass to try and find their ball. Needless to say, ball got moved, but no penalty. The 2019 Rules are considerably more friendly than what went before here.

 

[backwoodsman]

Just goes to show that you can't make assumptions ...

Ta all.

 

[rulie]

Just goes to show that you can't make assumptions ...

Ta all.

And that the Rules are not as strict as some players presume.

 

[salfordlad]

And that the Rules are not as strict as some players presume.

Indeed, 2019 brought remarkable change in many areas, rule 7 among them.

 

[jim8flog]

Having seen the view that it is not against the rules I thought I would put one in the bag