A uncommon occasion the place hoofing it on the course is an issue.
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The Rules of Golf are tough! Thankfully, we’ve acquired the guru. Our Rules Guy is aware of the guide entrance to again. Got a query? He’s acquired all the solutions.
The deer round my dwelling course typically run via the bunkers. Charming… however can I smooth the tracks if my ball comes to relaxation in a hoofprint? —Shay Ballard, Prescott, Ariz.
While deer tracks might, er, tick us off, you may’t smooth them, as a result of smoothing isn’t allowed if it improves the circumstances affecting the stroke — aka CATS.
Even if Model Local Rule F-13, which treats harm by animal hoofs (or paws) as floor beneath restore, is in impact, you continue to wouldn’t be allowed to smooth however would get a free drop as an alternative. We will focus on deer droppings one other time.
Rules Guy: Can you’re taking free aid from an animal gap in a bunker?
Rules Guy
For extra animal-related steering from our guru, learn on …
As my pal and I had been approaching his tee shot in the fairway, a fox trotted out of the woods, sniffed the ball after which urinated on it. Is my pal allowed to clear or change the ball? —David Cole, through electronic mail
Well, presumably in contrast to the now “marked” golf ball, the guidelines listed below are minimize and dried.
In fairness, the participant is entitled to the lie current when the ball got here to relaxation. Thus, your pal might elevate and clear the ball. If there is, um, “casual water” current, the participant can take aid beneath Rule 25-1, which additionally permits the ball to be cleaned (and disinfected).
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Got a query about the Rules? Ask the Rules Guy! Send your queries, confusions and feedback to rulesguy@golf.com. We promise he received’t throw the guide at you.
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