What do you do when you hit your ball OB off the tee, but get the ball out of bounds on a different hole?
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The Rules of Golf are tricky! Thank you, we have a guru. Our Rules Guy knows the book front to back. Have a question? You have all the answers.
I have a question that has sparked a heated debate in my club. If the tee shot on hole 1 crosses the out-of-bounds mark, crosses the fairway, then hits the out-of-bounds mark on hole #10 and comes to rest on its fairway, is the ball OB or not? —Mario Polit, via email
Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
Laws Guy is not to be philosophical or mealy-mouthed; there is a Model Area Rule (A-5) that can treat a ball that goes out of bounds or will come to rest on another part of the course.
Except for the Model Area Rule, then if the ball comes to rest somewhere along the path (ie, in bounds) it doesn't matter whether it completely crosses the boundary or not — the ball is in the square. Which means the Rules Guy gets to ask you a question: Does your subject say the Model Local Rule applies?
Rules Guy: The OB stake is blocking my swing. Can I move it without penalty?
Rules Guy
For more OB-related guidance from our guru, read on…
You hit the ball, and it breaks into two parts. One part lives in the green, the other without boundaries. What is the rule on how to proceed? – J. Herring, via email
Did you hit the ball with a golf club or a lawnmower, J? Was this a gutta percha ball or a feather?
This sort of thing doesn't happen that much anymore, thanks to modern technology, but on rare occasions, Rule 4.2b wraps things up – body blows don't count, and you go back and play where you last did. , cough, bad stroke.
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Have a question about the Rules? Ask the Rules Guy! Send your questions, confusion and comments to [email protected]. We promise he won't throw a letter at you.
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