Linda,
I have not been able to find the answer in the Rules of Golf,
and have gotten two different answers from club pros.
Today, I hit one of my best tee shots, when out of the woods
a maintenance mower plowed onto the fairway, and my shot hit the mower and
bounced about forty yards right. One pro stated I had to play it where it
landed. A second said I could hit another tee shot, no penalty. And the
know-it-all maintenance guy said I could move it back to where it hit the
mower. Help, please. What is the correct ruling, please?
Thanks,
Lulu from Port Orange, Florida
Dear Lulu,
The pro that told you to play the ball where it landed gave
you the correct answer.
A maintenance mower is an “outside agency.” When a ball in
motion is accidentally deflected or stopped by an outside agency, it is a “rub
of the green.” There is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies [Rule
19-1].
I wouldn’t recommend asking a maintenance worker for a
ruling. I would suggest that when two pros give you different answers, you ask
them to show you the Rule. Better yet, become familiar with the rulebook and
try to find the answer yourself!
Linda
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