Hi Linda,
Yesterday found us with an unusual problem that needs your
guidance. My playing partner hit his drive about 200 yards with a hook toward
the course boundary, adjacent to a private residence. Not being sure it was in
bounds, he hit a provisional in the fairway. Upon approaching the estimated
spot of the first ball, my partner announced that the apparent resident picked
up his ball. My partner approached the area and upon seeing the resident, asked
if he had indeed picked up the ball.
What followed was a flow of profanity from the resident,
with the demand that my partner get off his %$#@^ property, and that he had
thrown the ball in question back into the fairway, where it indeed was found. Since
the disturbed resident started throwing rocks at my partner, we deemed it
inadvisable to try to determine whether or not the first ball was in or out of
bounds.
Questions: Is the original ball in play? Is there any
penalty for my partner? Should the resident be penalized in some way? The
situation has a humorous tone, but could have had serious consequences.
Thank you for your consideration.
Lou from Surprise, Arizona
Dear Lou,
Considering the level of anger of the homeowner, I think you
can safely assume that the ball landed on his property and was therefore out of
bounds. The player should continue play with the provisional ball, which is now
his ball in play. He will be playing his fourth stroke when he hits the
provisional.
I fail to understand why people who choose to live on the
perimeter of a golf course are surprised or angered to find golf balls in their
backyard. The behavior of the homeowner in your narrative is clearly not
unacceptable; it borders on criminal. If the player were injured by the thrown
rocks, he might want to make it a police matter. If he escaped unscathed, he
should at the very least discuss the matter with the course manager. The course
might want to advise players to steer clear of the property in question and avoid
interaction with the homeowner.
Linda
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