Hey, My Golf Ball Moved! What Must I Do?

[Asheville]

Hey, my golf ball moved! What must I do?

1) On the fairway, in the process of moving a pine cone my ball moved half an inch.
    A. A pine cone has no business being in the fairway. Replace the ball; no penalty.
    B. Replace the ball and add one penalty stroke.
    C. Play it from its new position and add one penalty stroke.
    D. As no one else saw the ball move, who am I to judge?

Spoiler

    (Definition of Loose Impediment & R15.1) 

2) On the putting green, as I walked onto the green to mark my ball, the dang thing just took off and rolled 10 feet further from the hole. 
    A. I’m entitled to the position my ball was in before it moved on its own, I’m replacing the ball.
    B. Hard cheese, next time I’ll walk faster. I’ll have to play it from its new location.
    C. I’ll ask the other guys what they think I should do and abide by the consensus.

Spoiler

    (Definition of Natural Forces & R9.3)

3) On the putting green, after I had marked, lifted, cleaned and replaced my ball, the dang thing just took off and rolled 10 feet further from the hole. 
    A. I’m entitled to the position my ball was in before it moved on its own, I’m replacing the ball.
    B. Since I had already picked up my ball-marker, I’ll have to play it from its new location.
    C. I’ll ask the other guys what they think I should do and abide by the consensus.

Spoiler

    (R9.3, Exception)

 

[snapfade]

19 minutes ago, Asheville said:

Hey, my golf ball moved! What must I do?

1) On the fairway, in the process of moving a pine cone my ball moved half an inch.
    A. A pine cone has no business being in the fairway. Replace the ball; no penalty.
    B. Replace the ball and add one penalty stroke.
    C. Play it from its new position and add one penalty stroke.
    D. As no one else saw the ball move, who am I to judge?

  Hide contents

    (Definition of Loose Impediment & R15.1) 

2) On the putting green, as I walked onto the green to mark my ball, the dang thing just took off and rolled 10 feet further from the hole. 
    A. I’m entitled to the position my ball was in before it moved on its own, I’m replacing the ball.
    B. Hard cheese, next time I’ll walk faster. I’ll have to play it from its new location.
    C. I’ll ask the other guys what they think I should do and abide by the consensus.

  Hide contents

    (Definition of Natural Forces & R9.3)

3) On the putting green, after I had marked, lifted, cleaned and replaced my ball, the dang thing just took off and rolled 10 feet further from the hole. 
    A. I’m entitled to the position my ball was in before it moved on its own, I’m replacing the ball.
    B. Since I had already picked up my ball-marker, I’ll have to play it from its new location.
    C. I’ll ask the other guys what they think I should do and abide by the consensus.

  Hide contents

    (R9.3, Exception)

 

1. B

2. A

3. A

[Missouri Swede]

1 hour ago, Asheville said:

Hey, my golf ball moved! What must I do?

1) On the fairway, in the process of moving a pine cone my ball moved half an inch.
    A. A pine cone has no business being in the fairway. Replace the ball; no penalty.
    B. Replace the ball and add one penalty stroke.
    C. Play it from its new position and add one penalty stroke.
    D. As no one else saw the ball move, who am I to judge?

  Reveal hidden contents

    (Definition of Loose Impediment & R15.1) 

2) On the putting green, as I walked onto the green to mark my ball, the dang thing just took off and rolled 10 feet further from the hole. 
    A. I’m entitled to the position my ball was in before it moved on its own, I’m replacing the ball.
    B. Hard cheese, next time I’ll walk faster. I’ll have to play it from its new location.
    C. I’ll ask the other guys what they think I should do and abide by the consensus.

  Reveal hidden contents

    (Definition of Natural Forces & R9.3)

3) On the putting green, after I had marked, lifted, cleaned and replaced my ball, the dang thing just took off and rolled 10 feet further from the hole. 
    A. I’m entitled to the position my ball was in before it moved on its own, I’m replacing the ball.
    B. Since I had already picked up my ball-marker, I’ll have to play it from its new location.
    C. I’ll ask the other guys what they think I should do and abide by the consensus.

  Reveal hidden contents

    (R9.3, Exception)

 

Not looking it up ... (hey, it’s Sunday and my coffee is just hitting my system)

Spoiler

1. B

2. B.

3. A.

 

[boogielicious]

Spoiler

B B A

 

[dennyjones]

1 hour ago, Asheville said:

Hey, my golf ball moved! What must I do?

1) On the fairway, in the process of moving a pine cone my ball moved half an inch.
    A. A pine cone has no business being in the fairway. Replace the ball; no penalty.
    B. Replace the ball and add one penalty stroke.
    C. Play it from its new position and add one penalty stroke.
    D. As no one else saw the ball move, who am I to judge?

  Reveal hidden contents

    (Definition of Loose Impediment & R15.1) 

2) On the putting green, as I walked onto the green to mark my ball, the dang thing just took off and rolled 10 feet further from the hole. 
    A. I’m entitled to the position my ball was in before it moved on its own, I’m replacing the ball.
    B. Hard cheese, next time I’ll walk faster. I’ll have to play it from its new location.
    C. I’ll ask the other guys what they think I should do and abide by the consensus.

  Reveal hidden contents

    (Definition of Natural Forces & R9.3)

3) On the putting green, after I had marked, lifted, cleaned and replaced my ball, the dang thing just took off and rolled 10 feet further from the hole. 
    A. I’m entitled to the position my ball was in before it moved on its own, I’m replacing the ball.
    B. Since I had already picked up my ball-marker, I’ll have to play it from its new location.
    C. I’ll ask the other guys what they think I should do and abide by the consensus.

  Reveal hidden contents

    (R9.3, Exception)

 

Spoiler

B

B

A

 

[DrvFrShow]

1. Sept 22 - June 23. Under preferred lies local rule, I've marked my ball, lifted it, cleaned my ball, then replaced 12" away from the pine cone without penalty. Between June 24 - Sept 21 B. 

2. B

3. A

[fredf]

3 hours ago, DrvFrShow said:

1. Sept 22 - June 23. Under preferred lies local rule, I've marked my ball, lifted it, cleaned my ball, then replaced 12" away from the pine cone without penalty. Between June 24 - Sept 21 B. 

2. B

3. A

That 9 month PL raises an interesting variation on Q1. When proceeding under a Rule, such as that local rule, if moving the pine cone causes the ball to move, there is no penalty via 9.4b Exception 4.

[Asheville]

4) In the rough, on my way to search for my tee shot, I spotted a ball which I didn't think was mine since mine should have been a lot further along. But, who'd pass up a shiny new TopFlite, so I picked it up and as I was putting it in by bag, I saw that it had my mark on it and therefore must be my ball.

    A. Honest mistake, put it back and play on; no penalty.
    B. Honest mistake, put it back and play on; one stroke penalty.
    C. Honest mistake, but since I don't know exactly where it was, I'll have to go back to the tee.

 

Spoiler

   (R7.4, R9.4, Interpretation 9.4b/2)

5) My tee shot stopped at the crest of a hill in the right edge of the fairway. Before my very eyes a fox ran out of the woods, picked up my ball and took off with it, never to be seen again.

    A. Estimate the spot and place another ball there; no penalty.
    B. Estimate the spot and drop another ball there; no penalty.
    C. Since I don't know exactly where my ball was, I'll have to go back to the tee and replay the shot.

  

Spoiler

 (Definitions of Outside Influence, Definition of Known or Virtually Certain & R9.6)

6) My tee shot flew over the crest of a hill headed for the right edge of the fairway. No problem, I think. However, we cannot find my ball anywhere! Last year a fox stole my ball on this very hole, so that's what must have happened this time.

    A. Estimate the spot and place another ball there; no penalty.
    B. Estimate the spot and drop another ball there; no penalty.
    C. Since I really don't know exactly what happened, I'll have to go back to the tee and replay the shot.

  

Spoiler

 (Definition of Lost, Definition of Stroke and Distance, Definition of Known or Virtually Certain & R18.2)

 

[fredf]

2 hours ago, Asheville said:

4) In the rough, on my way to search for my tee shot, I spotted a ball which I didn't think was mine since mine should have been a lot further along. But, who'd pass up a shiny new TopFlite, so I picked it up and as I was putting it in by bag, I saw that it had my mark on it and therefore must be my ball.

    A. Honest mistake, put it back and play on; no penalty.
    B. Honest mistake, put it back and play on; one stroke penalty.
    C. Honest mistake, but since I don't know exactly where it was, I'll have to go back to the tee.

 

  Hide contents

   (R7.4, R9.4, Interpretation 9.4b/2)

5) My tee shot stopped at the crest of a hill in the right edge of the fairway. Before my very eyes a fox ran out of the woods, picked up my ball and took off with it, never to be seen again.

    A. Estimate the spot and place another ball there; no penalty.
    B. Estimate the spot and drop another ball there; no penalty.
    C. Since I don't know exactly where my ball was, I'll have to go back to the tee and replay the shot.

  

  Hide contents

 (Definitions of Outside Influence, Definition of Known or Virtually Certain & R9.6)

6) My tee shot flew over the crest of a hill headed for the right edge of the fairway. No problem, I think. However, we cannot find my ball anywhere! Last year a fox stole my ball on this very hole, so that's what must have happened this time.

    A. Estimate the spot and place another ball there; no penalty.
    B. Estimate the spot and drop another ball there; no penalty.
    C. Since I really don't know exactly what happened, I'll have to go back to the tee and replay the shot.

  

  Hide contents

 (Definition of Lost, Definition of Stroke and Distance, Definition of Known or Virtually Certain & R18.2)

 

Spoiler

B A C k again for more fun.

 

[bkuehn1952]

Here is what I would do if someone was watching me ...

Spoiler

4. B estimate the spot and drop with penalty

5. B estimate spot and drop without penalty as I saw the Fox take my ball

6. Sigh, back to the tee.  If that !@&! fox really did take my ball, I hope he chokes on it. Since I did not see the theft, it is a lost ball.

 

[Missouri Swede]

4 hours ago, Asheville said:

4) In the rough, on my way to search for my tee shot, I spotted a ball which I didn't think was mine since mine should have been a lot further along. But, who'd pass up a shiny new TopFlite, so I picked it up and as I was putting it in by bag, I saw that it had my mark on it and therefore must be my ball.

    A. Honest mistake, put it back and play on; no penalty.
    B. Honest mistake, put it back and play on; one stroke penalty.
    C. Honest mistake, but since I don't know exactly where it was, I'll have to go back to the tee.

 

  Hide contents

   (R7.4, R9.4, Interpretation 9.4b/2)

5) My tee shot stopped at the crest of a hill in the right edge of the fairway. Before my very eyes a fox ran out of the woods, picked up my ball and took off with it, never to be seen again.

    A. Estimate the spot and place another ball there; no penalty.
    B. Estimate the spot and drop another ball there; no penalty.
    C. Since I don't know exactly where my ball was, I'll have to go back to the tee and replay the shot.

  

  Hide contents

 (Definitions of Outside Influence, Definition of Known or Virtually Certain & R9.6)

6) My tee shot flew over the crest of a hill headed for the right edge of the fairway. No problem, I think. However, we cannot find my ball anywhere! Last year a fox stole my ball on this very hole, so that's what must have happened this time.

    A. Estimate the spot and place another ball there; no penalty.
    B. Estimate the spot and drop another ball there; no penalty.
    C. Since I really don't know exactly what happened, I'll have to go back to the tee and replay the shot.

  

  Reveal hidden contents

 (Definition of Lost, Definition of Stroke and Distance, Definition of Known or Virtually Certain & R18.2)

 

Hmm...

Spoiler

4. B

5. A

6. C

 

Edited March 23, 2020 by Missouri Swede

[Double Mocha Man]

10 stroke penalty for using a Top Flite...

[SG11118]

Spoiler

 

Without looking, and without having golfed in 6 months:

1. Can't determine from description whether or not I caused the ball to move by moving the pine cone, so I will say D - If I caused it to move, B

2.B

3. B

4. B

5. B

6. C

 

 

[dennyjones]

8 hours ago, Asheville said:

4) In the rough, on my way to search for my tee shot, I spotted a ball which I didn't think was mine since mine should have been a lot further along. But, who'd pass up a shiny new TopFlite, so I picked it up and as I was putting it in by bag, I saw that it had my mark on it and therefore must be my ball.

    A. Honest mistake, put it back and play on; no penalty.
    B. Honest mistake, put it back and play on; one stroke penalty.
    C. Honest mistake, but since I don't know exactly where it was, I'll have to go back to the tee.

 

  Hide contents

   (R7.4, R9.4, Interpretation 9.4b/2)

5) My tee shot stopped at the crest of a hill in the right edge of the fairway. Before my very eyes a fox ran out of the woods, picked up my ball and took off with it, never to be seen again.

    A. Estimate the spot and place another ball there; no penalty.
    B. Estimate the spot and drop another ball there; no penalty.
    C. Since I don't know exactly where my ball was, I'll have to go back to the tee and replay the shot.

  

  Reveal hidden contents

 (Definitions of Outside Influence, Definition of Known or Virtually Certain & R9.6)

6) My tee shot flew over the crest of a hill headed for the right edge of the fairway. No problem, I think. However, we cannot find my ball anywhere! Last year a fox stole my ball on this very hole, so that's what must have happened this time.

    A. Estimate the spot and place another ball there; no penalty.
    B. Estimate the spot and drop another ball there; no penalty.
    C. Since I really don't know exactly what happened, I'll have to go back to the tee and replay the shot.

  

  Reveal hidden contents

 (Definition of Lost, Definition of Stroke and Distance, Definition of Known or Virtually Certain & R18.2)

 

Spoiler

B

A

C

 

 

[DrvFrShow]

On 3/23/2020 at 3:54 AM, Asheville said:

4) In the rough, on my way to search for my tee shot, I spotted a ball which I didn't think was mine since mine should have been a lot further along. But, who'd pass up a shiny new TopFlite, so I picked it up and as I was putting it in by bag, I saw that it had my mark on it and therefore must be my ball.

    A. Honest mistake, put it back and play on; no penalty.
    B. Honest mistake, put it back and play on; one stroke penalty.
    C. Honest mistake, but since I don't know exactly where it was, I'll have to go back to the tee.

 

  Hide contents

   (R7.4, R9.4, Interpretation 9.4b/2)

5) My tee shot stopped at the crest of a hill in the right edge of the fairway. Before my very eyes a fox ran out of the woods, picked up my ball and took off with it, never to be seen again.

    A. Estimate the spot and place another ball there; no penalty.
    B. Estimate the spot and drop another ball there; no penalty.
    C. Since I don't know exactly where my ball was, I'll have to go back to the tee and replay the shot.

  

  Reveal hidden contents

 (Definitions of Outside Influence, Definition of Known or Virtually Certain & R9.6)

6) My tee shot flew over the crest of a hill headed for the right edge of the fairway. No problem, I think. However, we cannot find my ball anywhere! Last year a fox stole my ball on this very hole, so that's what must have happened this time.

    A. Estimate the spot and place another ball there; no penalty.
    B. Estimate the spot and drop another ball there; no penalty.
    C. Since I really don't know exactly what happened, I'll have to go back to the tee and replay the shot.

  

  Hide contents

 (Definition of Lost, Definition of Stroke and Distance, Definition of Known or Virtually Certain & R18.2)

 

4. Could be A... Could be B. I've found a ProV1 on the course with my mark on it before that I lost on my previous round. 🤣

5. B

6. C but not necessarily. Under Rule 18-3c, one could play a "provisional" if it is "virtually certain" that the ball was in a penalty area (i.e. lost or OB) and drop on the fairway at the distance where the ball would have crossed into the penalty area (in this case, where you lost sight of the ball).