Dog helps player find ball

[gblackwell]

Question 1: Before putting a ball in play, a player puts a drop of perfume or other odoriferous substance on the ball. The purpose of the substance is so that the player's dog, who accompanies the player during the round, can more easily find the ball and direct the player to it. On several holes, the player would not have found his ball but for the help of his dog. The substance does not and is not intended to alter the playing characteristics of the ball. The dog does not cause the ball to move at anytime. Has the player violated any Rules? If so, state the specific Rule or Rules violated and the penalty.

Question 2: Same as Question 1, but the player does not apply any substance to the ball. However, the dog's sense of smell is so acute that the dog assists the player in locating the ball on several occasions.

[Fourputt]

Question 1: Before putting a ball in play, a player puts a drop of perfume or other odoriferous substance on the ball. The purpose of the substance is so that the player's dog, who accompanies the player during the round, can more easily find the ball and direct the player to it. On several holes, the player would not have found his ball but for the help of his dog. The substance does not and is not intended to alter the playing characteristics of the ball. The dog does not cause the ball to move at anytime. Has the player violated any Rules? If so, state the specific Rule or Rules violated and the penalty.

Question 2: Same as Question 1, but the player does not apply any substance to the ball. However, the dog's sense of smell is so acute that the dog assists the player in locating the ball on several occasions.

No rule of golf that I know of, but most courses I play prohibit dogs on the course unless they are service dogs.

[rehmwa]

No rule of golf that I know of, but most courses I play prohibit dogs on the course unless they are service dogs.

Well, that's quite a handy service.

better than homing devices, beepers, flashers, etc etc etc.  way better than yellow or orange colors too.

[sjduffers]

Well, that's quite a handy service.

better than homing devices, beepers, flashers, etc etc etc.  way better than yellow or orange colors too.

So, you are saying that a yellow lab is better than a yellow ball.  I agree!

I can't say for sure, but assuming the dog is allowed on the course (and dogs are on some courses I have been on), I don't see a problem with either 1) or 2), but don't put bacon on the ball, that will affect its flight, lol!

[rehmwa]

gotta bring a pointer.....not a retriever

[boogielicious]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblackwell

Question 1: Before putting a ball in play, a player puts a drop of perfume or other odoriferous substance on the ball. The purpose of the substance is so that the player's dog, who accompanies the player during the round, can more easily find the ball and direct the player to it. On several holes, the player would not have found his ball but for the help of his dog. The substance does not and is not intended to alter the playing characteristics of the ball. The dog does not cause the ball to move at anytime. Has the player violated any Rules? If so, state the specific Rule or Rules violated and the penalty.

Question 2: Same as Question 1, but the player does not apply any substance to the ball. However, the dog's sense of smell is so acute that the dog assists the player in locating the ball on several occasions.

No rule of golf that I know of, but most courses I play prohibit dogs on the course unless they are service dogs.

Now if we could only teach Canada geese to find balls......

[Fourputt]

gotta bring a pointer.....not a retriever

Good point! (pun intended )

[No Mulligans]

I could have used that dog today, lost a ball in the middle of a fairway (at least that is where it landed and should have been and is where I was looking).  Stroke and distance, I hate that.

[Martyn W]

Reminds me of the classic Feherty line: “That ball is so far left, Lassie couldn’t find it if it was wrapped in bacon.”

[Patch]

Reminds me of the classic Feherty line: “That ball is so far left, Lassie couldn’t find it if it was wrapped in bacon.

Lassie was a Collie who probably knew about Judge Smails, and as such did not have any interest in golf, let alone looking for a ball.

[bubble]

If the player has no other caddie I dont see why the dog can't fit in...

I've seen lots of other bitches as caddie lol

[Rulesman]

If you change the 'receiver' in 14-3/14 to 'trained dog' does it make a difference?

[natureboy]

It would probably take a very dog-friendly private club membership to allow free ranging dogs on the course, but I could see it as a real membership marketing thing. They would have to be well-trained hunting dogs that could wait until everyone hit.

I would think the dog would count as using an 'aid' to find the ball so it would likely not make for valid HCPs. I would give it to any blind golfer though since they are allowed the dog. The perfume would not otherwise aid a golfer without a special sniffer.

How fun would that be both for the dogs and the golfers, though, even if not 'under the rules'?

[DrvFrShow]

I would have to go along with the Service Dogs Only policy.

[ColinL]

Question 1    Not permissible in my view.  The immediate thought - as Rulesman has alluded to - is the ball with the radio chip in it and the receiver.  You put a chip in a ball or you coat the ball with a smelly substance (let’s not go there); you have a radio receiver to pick up the signal or you have a dog to pick up the scent.  There is no substantial difference.

Question 2  You can accept  the help of any spectator, spotter, fellow competitor to search for your ball and so why not the help of a passing dog?  But if it is your own dog, you will note that the Definition  of a caddie is not specific about the species a caddie must belong to.  The dog being employed to assist you in your play is your caddie, i.e. “one who assists the player .......” and you therefore must be careful not to employ both dog and a human person, or other animal  as your caddie.

[Fourputt]

Question 1    Not permissible in my view.  The immediate thought - as Rulesman has alluded to - is the ball with the radio chip in it and the receiver.  You put a chip in a ball or you coat the ball with a smelly substance (let’s not go there); you have a radio receiver to pick up the signal or you have a dog to pick up the scent.  There is no substantial difference.

Question 2  You can accept  the help of any spectator, spotter, fellow competitor to search for your ball and so why not the help of a passing dog?  But if it is your own dog, you will note that the Definition  of a caddie is not specific about the species a caddie must belong to.  The dog being employed to assist you in your play is your caddie, i.e. “one who assists the player .......” and you therefore must be careful not to employ both dog and a human person, or other animal  as your caddie.

That being true, The player must also be careful that the "caddie" dog doesn't move the ball.  As mentioned above, the dog must be well trained or it is liable cause the player to incur more penalties than he avoids by using the critter, especially if the ball smells like food.

[turtleback]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblackwell

Question 1: Before putting a ball in play, a player puts a drop of perfume or other odoriferous substance on the ball. The purpose of the substance is so that the player's dog, who accompanies the player during the round, can more easily find the ball and direct the player to it. On several holes, the player would not have found his ball but for the help of his dog. The substance does not and is not intended to alter the playing characteristics of the ball. The dog does not cause the ball to move at anytime. Has the player violated any Rules? If so, state the specific Rule or Rules violated and the penalty.

Question 2: Same as Question 1, but the player does not apply any substance to the ball. However, the dog's sense of smell is so acute that the dog assists the player in locating the ball on several occasions.

No rule of golf that I know of, but most courses I play prohibit dogs on the course unless they are service dogs.

I would have to go along with the Service Dogs Only policy.

The concept of service animals has become so broad that someone will claim they have a stress disorder caused by losing golf balls and they need their service dog to calm them.

But it would be great for THIS business:

https://www.officialservicedogregistry.com/register-your-dog/?gclid=Cj0KEQjwj_SvBRC7k4DfkLHiuMABEiQAvPOaqSKkYlteR4k8r63pdGuJsgxa4oZRuEpClSfu4fvBvBYaAtLE8P8HAQ

[DrvFrShow]

But do you know how much service dogs cost? It isn't worth the trouble. Take the S&D.;