Unusual unplayable ball scenario

[nickpike]

I've been having this heated debate with some fellow golfers on an admittedly odd scenario where if you are on the Putting green and then do a putt and the ball drifts off the green into a bunker then you are perfecctly within your rights to call the ball unplayable and replace the ball from the original position on the green incurring a one stroke penalty. It seems clear enough in the rules but i've yet to get any golfer to agree on this.
A golfer of 30 yrs experience is insisting that a ball is only unplayable if it is agreed with his fellow players ! Surely that can't be right

It could be argued that it is against the spirit of the game but but can anyone confirm that the above is correct.

Thanks
Nick

 

[Leftie]

As far as I'm aware, a ball can be declared unplayable anywhere on the course and it is the players decision alone as to whether a ball is unplayable or not, not his partner or opponent.

 

[bobmac]

Rule 28 states a player can claim the ball unplayable anywhere on the course except in a water hazard and it is up to the player only to decide whether the ball is unplayable or not

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Bob, I'd just got the book in front of me. Summed it up perfectly

 

[bobmac]

Page 107, last 3 lines as I remember.

Only because I did a rules presentation last week at my club and covered that rule extensively

 

[Imurg]

Sad really. Just another example of how many know so little about the rules of our game.

I didn't need to look it up. I didn't know which rule it was but I knew the answer.

 

[nickpike]

Thanks for your comments - I think the problem is that it appears unusual to many golfers and it just doesn't seem right so it can't be - to them it seems like cheating in a way

 

[rgs]

We are having a rules evening at the club next tueday, may bring it up for discussion and see the reactions.

 

[RGDave]

I'm not expert on the rules, but I have declared a ball unplayable before (regardless of the reality) and taken the penalty....

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Imurg, I knew the ruling but was trying to cross reference the page for others.

 

[Imurg]

Not saying you didn't Homer. Just saying nobody should have to look that one up!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I agree.

 

[backwoodsman]

It seems that everyone gripes about the rules, that they are unfair & complicated, but this is one of those instances that demonstrates they can sometimes work to your advantange.

 

[SammmeBee]

It seems that everyone gripes about the rules, that they are unfair & complicated, but this is one of those instances that demonstrates they can sometimes work to your advantange.

If you're putting into bunkers then you've got more to worry about than if the rules can help you.....but I know what you mean....

 

[Herbie]

This is one of those occasions where although the rule is clear, this scenario may actually give the player an advantage, yet the rules are there to prevent unfair advantage.

being fair to me would mean playing from the bunker for being a silly sod putting there in the first place, but the rules, that work fairly in most cases,say otherwise making it unfair in this scenario.

 

[TonyN]

Sad really. Just another example of how many know so little about the rules of our game.

I didn't need to look it up. I didn't know which rule it was but I knew the answer.

Thats right, I told a guy I played with last week I wanted to change from a Nike Ball to Srixon on the next hole and he told me I couldn't. I knew I could and explained its only pros that must play with the same compression ball, but he wouldn't have it. He played off low singles. Just goes to show, because you are a good player, doesn't mean you know all the rules.

 

[brendy]

That takes the biscuit Tony, its hard to believe some folks dont know the basics of what does and what doesnt apply to us and or pros.

 

[TonyN]

I know, I actually used that as my excuse for having a poor round sad i know. I pulled out a Nike One Platinum on first tee and used it till about 6, I couldnt hold a green with them and decided to swith to my Z-Urs, but because my card was wrecked, I just stayed with the ball to keep him happy, I didnt want to fall out and put him off his game, he was playing really well.

 

[Leftie]

This is one of those occasions where although the rule is clear, this scenario may actually give the player an advantage, yet the rules are there to prevent unfair advantage.

being fair to me would mean playing from the bunker for being a silly sod putting there in the first place, but the rules, that work fairly in most cases,say otherwise making it unfair in this scenario.

If you think about it, it is entirely fair as there is no difference in playing a putt again under penalty than hitting a drive again under penalty if the first one goes into the deep dodah and is unplayable.

 

[Herbie]

This is one of those occasions where although the rule is clear, this scenario may actually give the player an advantage, yet the rules are there to prevent unfair advantage.

being fair to me would mean playing from the bunker for being a silly sod putting there in the first place, but the rules, that work fairly in most cases,say otherwise making it unfair in this scenario.

If you think about it, it is entirely fair as there is no difference in playing a putt again under penalty than hitting a drive again under penalty if the first one goes into the deep dodah and is unplayable.

Not sure I agree there leftie, if you hit into a Bunker after only being say a foot away from the hole, how often would you get down in 2 from that position? It may be in the capabilities of pros on a regular basis, but not the average golfer. This scenario would (on a par 4 GIR for example)more likely be a 5 after declared unplayable, but more likely 6 or more playing from the bunker for most golfers.

Very unusual scenario I would agree but still a possibility of unfairness within the rules. In matchplay Im sure most golfers would prefer their oppo to play the bunker