Snail ruling…

salfordlad said:
In sum, more factual detail is needed. In particular, in what area of the course was the ball at rest against the snail?
a) If at rest on the putting green, no penalty (see Rule 13.1) and replace the ball following the guidance in Rule 14.2e.
b) If at rest in the general area, one stroke penalty under Rule 9.4b and replace following the guidance in 14.2e.
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Is it true that if my ball is lying against a snail off the green, and I'm worried the ball will move if I move the snail, I should just play the ball as it lies to avoid penalty? The fact that I'll kill the snail is irrelevant?
 
Swango1980 said:
Is it true that if my ball is lying against a snail off the green, and I'm worried the ball will move if I move the snail, I should just play the ball as it lies to avoid penalty? The fact that I'll kill the snail is irrelevant?
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The Rules are not the friend of insects and the like, they have no protection from the golfer intent on avoiding any risk of their ball moving by moving the small creature.

The 2019 changes also incidentally removed the blanket protection for bird nests - they had special treatment before, but now are just another subset of GUR, which means birds that build nests in penalty areas are indulging in risky behaviour.

RBs have made a non-trivial recent step in protecting creatures by introducing MLR E-13 and I would not be surprised if that is moved directly into the Rules in 2027 - meaning it will not depend on a Committee explicitly invoking it. But insects and the like, to date, have not managed to mobilise the same lobby group support.
 
Was the ball on the green? From the wording of the OP I took it that it was.
I would be surprised if the ball would not remain at rest if the ball was in the general area.
 
salfordlad said:
The Rules are not the friend of insects and the like, they have no protection from the golfer intent on avoiding any risk of their ball moving by moving the small creature.

The 2019 changes also incidentally removed the blanket protection for bird nests - they had special treatment before, but now are just another subset of GUR, which means birds that build nests in penalty areas are indulging in risky behaviour.

RBs have made a non-trivial recent step in protecting creatures by introducing MLR E-13 and I would not be surprised if that is moved directly into the Rules in 2027 - meaning it will not depend on a Committee explicitly invoking it. But insects and the like, to date, have not managed to mobilise the same lobby group support.
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The rules bodies better hope that a professionals ball doesn't lie against a snail or a birds nest in a penalty area anytime soon, in a high profile event.

Because when the referee doesn't give relief, as per the rules, there is going to be outrage at the carnage that results.

I know many rules should not rely on common sense. But when it comes the the life a living creature or protection of their home, common sense isn't a bad idea.
 
Just to look into this a bit deeper?

Ball rests against an unhatched egg in PA or in General Area. If egg is moved, ball will move.

Is playing the ball as it lies the only way a player can avoid penalty?
 
What have Rules Bodies got against “Worms, insects and similar animals that can be removed easily,”?

Why does the golfer have a dilemma as to whether or not to risk a penalty by potentially moving the ball when removing these from the line of swing or just having to play the ball as it lies and therefore risking harming the creature. However a baby bird for example ‘gets a free pass?
 
Swango1980 said:
Just to look into this a bit deeper?

Ball rests against an unhatched egg in PA or in General Area. If egg is moved, ball will move.

Is playing the ball as it lies the only way a player can avoid penalty?
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I think an unhatched egg would be covered by MLR E-13, if the club has posted it.
 
D-S said:
What have Rules Bodies got against “Worms, insects and similar animals that can be removed easily,”?

Why does the golfer have a dilemma as to whether or not to risk a penalty by potentially moving the ball when removing these from the line of swing or just having to play the ball as it lies and therefore risking harming the creature. However a baby bird for example ‘gets a free pass?
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Sucks to be the worm. If the bird isn't eating you, the golfer is tugging at you to see if you are solidly embedded.
 
Wasn't there a ruling involving Paul Casey in a PGAT event where his putt rolled over an ant or something. Because he didn't see it happen there was no penalty but if he had seen it there would have been as you are not allowed to hit an animal?? Is this just a rule applicable to pro events? Poor snails in amateur competitions!!
 
3 jabber said:
Wasn't there a ruling involving Paul Casey in a PGAT event where his putt rolled over an ant or something. Because he didn't see it happen there was no penalty but if he had seen it there would have been as you are not allowed to hit an animal?? Is this just a rule applicable to pro events? Poor snails in amateur competitions!!
Click to expand...
What? So if my ball hits a bird I get a penalty, if I see it happen?

Is a human an animal?
 
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