Hole in Ziploc

[bunkerputt]

So today when I was out playing 9-holes, neglecting to bring any tees, I grabbed whatever tee I could find, which happened to set my ball about an inch lower than I normally like to play it with driver. I didn't feel comfortable, should have recognized it and backed off, but being an amateur, of course I went for it. My ball ended up across the street running lengthwise to the right side of the hole. I took a drop where I saw it go out and it gave me about a 60 yard shot through a little tree-tunnel. Technically, the shot wasn't that difficult as my lie was good and a punched 8-iron chip would have kept it low and run it up to the pin. I hit the perfect line, just way too hard to the pin at the back of the green. It nearly hit the pin, but ran over the hole and over the back of the green and straight into a Ziploc bag that someone left lying there. The ball had an opening to get out, so I just hit it, bag and all, and the ball popped out to within 10 feet. What do the rules say here? Can I just pull it out of the bag and drop it? I thought it was a man-made movable obstruction, which can only be moved if it doesn't make the ball move?

[James_Black]

if your just practising, pick it out of the bag and drop.

In a competition I'd either ring the clubhouse about it or take a shot penalty.

[iacas]

if your just practising, pick it out of the bag and drop.

What? How about knowing the rules and not needing to bother someone else with a basic rules question.

Rule 24-1 http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rule-24/ and the Definitions .

Source: Definitions Obstructions An "obstruction" is anything artificial, including the artificial surfaces and sides of roads and paths and manufactured ice, except: a. Objects defining out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings; b. Any part of an immovable artificial object that is out of bounds; and c. Any construction declared by the Committee to be an integral part of the course. An obstruction is a movable obstruction if it may be moved without unreasonable effort, without unduly delaying play and without causing damage. Otherwise, it is an immovable obstruction.

[James_Black]

thanks.

I wasn't sure

b. If the ball lies in or on the obstruction, the ball may be lifted and the obstruction removed. The ball must through the green or in a hazard be dropped, or on the putting green be placed, as near as possible to the spot directly under the place where the ball lay in or on the obstruction, but not nearer the hole.

[zeg]

Also, of course, just playing it as he did is a legal option, if not advisable in competition In a practice round, I'd be tempted to play it that way just for the experience.

[$2 Nassau]

I'm more concerned about the drop you took after hitting the ball what was most likely OB.
I kid, I kid.

[bunkerputt]

Does "through the green or in a hazard be dropped" mean you drop it if it ran through the green? I'm a little rusty on my King James English.

[zeg]

Does "through the green or in a hazard be dropped" mean you drop it if it ran through the green? I'm a little rusty on my King James English.

"Through the green" is anywhere except the putting green and teeing ground (of the current hole) or any hazard, so "through the green or in a hazard" means anywhere except on the putting green or teeing ground of the current hole.

[Fat Slice]

There's some famous instance of a golf legend hitting a ball that rolled into a glass jar. He smashed it, jar, ball, everything. I wonder if there's video?

[Joeyvee]

"Through the green" is anywhere except the putting green and teeing ground (of the current hole) or any hazard, so "through the green or in a hazard" means anywhere except on the putting green or teeing ground of the current hole.

The explanations of the rules of golf sometimes confuse me more than the rules which are confusing. Can we get the rule book revised with todays english? Bunkerputtas got it right with the King James thing. I know it's not easy to simplify the rules without leaving grey areas or loopholes but c'mon. I can barely understand the basic ones. Maybe I don't have the patience at work right now but ufck if that aint a confusing one. just say it simply.. Not you erik. the rule book I mean.