A uncommon occasion the place hoofing it on the course is an issue.
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The Guidelines of Golf are difficult! Fortunately, we’ve acquired the guru. Our Guidelines Man is aware of the e-book entrance to again. Obtained a query? He’s acquired all of the solutions.
The deer round my house course usually run by the bunkers. Charming… however can I easy the tracks if my ball involves relaxation in a hoofprint? —Shay Ballard, Prescott, Ariz.
Whereas deer tracks might, er, tick us off, you’ll be able to’t easy them, as a result of smoothing isn’t allowed if it improves the situations affecting the stroke — aka CATS.
Even when Mannequin Native Rule F-13, which treats harm by animal hoofs (or paws) as floor underneath restore, is in impact, you continue to wouldn’t be allowed to easy however would get a free drop as a substitute. We are going to talk about deer droppings one other time.
Guidelines Man: Can you are taking free aid from an animal gap in a bunker?
For extra animal-related steering from our guru, learn on …
As my pal and I had been approaching his tee shot within the fairway, a fox trotted out of the woods, sniffed the ball after which urinated on it. Is my pal allowed to wash or exchange the ball? —David Cole, through e-mail
Nicely, presumably not like the now “marked” golf ball, the foundations listed here are lower and dried.
In fairness, the participant is entitled to the lie current when the ball got here to relaxation. Thus, your pal might carry and clear the ball. If there is, um, “informal water” current, the participant can take aid underneath Rule 25-1, which additionally permits the ball to be cleaned (and disinfected).
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