Rules of Golf, Relief from Animal Hole or Scrape?

Question

When you find your ball in an animal hole or scrape, to get relief without penalty do you need to be able to take a stance over the ball, and does that stance have to be in the direction of play? This has been a source of much debate at my course where we have more rabbits (four legged rabbits) than golfers.

Answer 1

pga rule book 25-1 abnormal ground conditions
also see if you course has it's on local rule some times that the case hope this helps

Answer 2

A hole made by a burrowing animal is considered "abnormal ground conditions".

This means you treat it the same as ground under repair or casual water, if that helps.

You get a drop within one club-length of the nearest point of relief. The nearest point of relief is the spot on the course closest to where your ball lies, such that the burrow will not interfere with your lie, swing or stance. You also cannot drop into a hazard on onto the green.

If your ball is in the burrow, you certainly get relief. No one would argue.

If you're asking what to do when your ball is not in the burrow, but you would have to stand in the burrow to take your shot, that's a different story.

To determine whether the burrow interferes with your stance, you would have to take a normal stance with the club you would most likely use for the shot, in the direction you would most likely play the shot.

If the burrow intereferes with your stance, you get relief.

For example, if you're 80 yards from the green, you can't take a stance with your driver and claim that the burrow is in your way. You'd have to use a wedge.

Answer 3

It has to be a reasonable situtation that would cause you to hit the ball in a direction other than at the green.

Here's the rule I think you are searching for:

Stroke at Ball Not Reasonable Due to Interference by Immovable Obstruction and Casual Water — See 24-2b/19.
25-1b/20 Stance Interfered with by Burrowing Animal Hole; Unreasonable to Play Stroke Because of Other Condition


Q. A player’s ball is in an indentation at the base of a tree in such a position that it is clearly unreasonable for him to play a stroke. Despite this, the player claims relief without penalty under Rule 25-1 because his stance for a stroke at the ball in the indentation would be on a burrowing animal hole. Is the player entitled to relief without penalty under Rule 25-1b?

A. Under the Exception to Rule 25-1b a player may not obtain relief from an abnormal ground condition if it is clearly unreasonable for him to play a stroke due to interference by something other than such a condition. In the circumstances described above, the player’s ball is unplayable as it lies in an indentation at the base of a tree. Therefore, the player is not entitled to relief under Rule 25-1 from the burrowing animal hole.

Answer 4

The easiest way to learn golf like a pro is by following "The Simple Golf Swing" program. It's primarily a 31 page eBook that teaches golfers how to make solid contact with the ball, how to avoid hitting fat, how to avoid slicing, how get more power, accuracy, and consistency in your swing. Consistency being the number 1 golf skill.

You not only get the eBook though, you also receive a ton of extra material including video, lessons on putting, driving, chipping, sand play etc. Here is their official site: http://www.golfswingguru.net

Answer 5

Do you get relief from a vole animal track that has since covered with grass

Answer 6

Nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole ,then you have a club length ,again no closer to hole.