Spectator moving / stealing ball

[Marino the cat]

Hi All , just registered and first of all I would like to say hello

Let me explain a situation

A player tees off and the ball is in play, in the meantime a spectator picks up the ball and runs off with it, only the player sees this happen and informs the rules official, the rules official asks the other players and caddies if they saw anything, they did not.

What would be the maximum penalty applied?

Thanks

Steve - keep em long and straight

 

[Slab]

Not sure why there would be any penalty to the player

 

[lukeysafc100]

I'm not sure - but if it can't be proven I'd imagine it would be a penalty of stroke and distance. Back to the Tee to play 3!

But other people may have a better insight than myself!

 

[Slab]

I'm not sure - but if it can't be proven I'd imagine it would be a penalty of stroke and distance. Back to the Tee to play 3!

But other people may have a better insight than myself!

Isn't it covered by the rule for a ball moved by an outside agency though (cant remember if its drop or replace) but get another ball down from where it was nicked and crack on, no penalty

 

[Marino the cat]

It is a qwerky one, happened to my mate yesterday. 3 shot penalty apparently :-( just wondered if he could appeal

 

[guest100718]

3 shot pen? it's no penalty .. if he saw some one take his ball he can replace if he new the exact spot or drop as close as .

 

[Slab]

It is a qwerky one, happened to my mate yesterday. 3 shot penalty apparently :-( just wondered if he could appeal

I wonder if there is more to consider to perhaps make officials have doubt that the ball was indeed nicked because as stated in your opening post a spectator did make off with it

 

[Marino the cat]

I wonder if there is more to consider to perhaps make officials have doubt that the ball was indeed nicked because as stated in your opening post a spectator did make off with it

That's what I am lead to believe, no reason to doubt him, rules officials don't always get it right, or do they?

 

[OnTour]

First of all, my playing partners would know about it as I'd be racing after him or her. or at least pointing out they had picked it up!!

your in a comp every shot counts, not sure i could keep my emotions and stay calm without at least a yell ?

 

[Colin L]

The OP states that the player saw the spectator making off with the ball. What reason is there for not taking that as a matter fact? Rule 18-1 applies and as has been said, a ball is placed without penalty on the spot, or as it is more than likely that the exact spot cannot be determined, dropped.

 

[vincequest]

Does it matter if only the player sees it or not? Would making a scene around it and getting someone elses attention as a witness help the situation?

 

[Colin L]

Does it matter if only the player sees it or not? Would making a scene around it and getting someone elses attention as a witness help the situation?

The game is built on the integrity of the player. If the player says he saw a spectator take his ball then that's what happened.

 

[Marino the cat]

The game is built on the integrity of the player. If the player says he saw a spectator take his ball then that's what happened.

You'd think so, must be something /information I'm not getting. I'll quiz him when he gets back. He's abroad playing at the moment and I never ring or txt him while the competition is in progress, he has enough to think about without me bothering him I'll keep you posted when I get the full info

Cheers

 

[HawkeyeMS]

It is a qwerky one, happened to my mate yesterday. 3 shot penalty apparently :-( just wondered if he could appeal

I can't think of a situation that would incur a 3-shot penalty?

 

[rulie]

I can't think of a situation that would incur a 3-shot penalty?

The official likely said he played from a wrong place (where the spectator reportedly picked up the ball), penalty for that is two strokes, probably a serious breach, must return to the tee and play under stroke and distance.
Total penalty strokes 2+1 = 3.

 

[mikejohnchapman]

This happened at Wentworth during the PGA. Ball hit into bush by 18th green, identified by player and whilst we were moving the crowd and the player was deciding where to drop the ball disappeared.

No penalty, drop another ball and proceed.

 

[hovis]

i once had a player on the opposite fairway play my ball. my playing partners and i didn't see him play it though. i was sure he did as it landed in the middle of their fairway. after he told me its wasn't my ball i walked to where he played the shot and it was my ball.