Jump to content
Subscribe to the Spin Axis Podcast! ×
Subscribe to the Spin Axis Podcast!
IGNORED

Burrowing Animals (ground squirrels)

Dave Travis

By Dave Travis
in Rules of Golf

 Share
Note: This thread is 3079 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Recommended Posts

Dave Travis Newbie

Dave Travis

Posted
Posted

This region has ground squirrels. Their holes in the ground can range from 8-10 inches up to a two foot hole in the ground. 

I am unable to get a ruling by the book as squirrels are not included , when my ball lands in a furrow or den of these pests. 

A close friend was playing a qualifying round in Sacramento and one player of the foursome would not concede it was a bouroughing animal home, when in fact it was a ground squirrels home, citing the rule book "Squirrels do not count"! 

It cost him a qualifying spot and while the local rules cover the ground squirrel hole, USGA rules do not. 

Has anyone seen a newer rule to cover ground squirrels? These little critters run up to 25-30 per colonly on hills on courses!  

 


David in FL Incredible Member

David in FL

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, Dave Travis said:

This region has ground squirrels. Their holes in the ground can range from 8-10 inches up to a two foot hole in the ground. 

I am unable to get a ruling by the book as squirrels are not included , when my ball lands in a furrow or den of these pests. 

A close friend was playing a qualifying round in Sacramento and one player of the foursome would not concede it was a bouroughing animal home, when in fact it was a ground squirrels home, citing the rule book "Squirrels do not count"! 

It cost him a qualifying spot and while the local rules cover the ground squirrel hole, USGA rules do not. 

Has anyone seen a newer rule to cover ground squirrels? These little critters run up to 25-30 per colonly on hills on courses!  

 

No "newer" rule is necessary.  As is often the case, the first place to look in the Rules is in the definitions.  In this case we find...

BURROWING ANIMAL 

A “burrowing animal” is an animal (other than a worm, insect or the like) that makes a hole for habitation or shelter, such as a rabbit, mole, groundhog, gopher or salamander.

A ground squirrel den would certainly qualify as an abnormal ground condition and he was entitled to relief.  No Local Rule is necessary.  

Remember, just because a fellow competitor doesn't "concede" a ruling, in this case for relief, doesn't mean that you're not entitled to that relief.  That's for the Committee to decide.  In this case, his best option would have been to play a second ball under rule 3-3 and then bring it to the Committee after the round.  

Welcome to the forum Dave, good to have you!  :beer:

  • Upvote 2

In David's bag....

Driver: Titleist 910 D-3;  9.5* Diamana Kai'li
3-Wood: Titleist 910F;  15* Diamana Kai'li
Hybrids: Titleist 910H 19* and 21* Diamana Kai'li
Irons: Titleist 695cb 5-Pw
Wedges: Scratch 51-11 TNC grind, Vokey SM-5's;  56-14 F grind and 60-11 K grind
Putter: Scotty Cameron Kombi S
Ball: ProV1

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1
1
1

Note: This thread is 3079 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Want to join this community?

    We'd love to have you!

    Sign Up

  • TST Partners

    PlayBetter
    Golfer's Journal
    ShotScope
    The Stack System
    FitForGolf
    FlightScope Mevo
    Direct: Mevo, Mevo+, and Pro Package.

    Coupon Codes (save 10-20%): "IACAS" for Mevo/Stack/FitForGolf, "IACASPLUS" for Mevo+/Pro Package, and "THESANDTRAP" for ShotScope. 15% off TourStriker (no code).

  • Posts

    • DeadMan
      "5 Minutes Daily" Practice Challenge

      By DeadMan · Posted

      Day 10: did a stack session. 
    • iacas
      "5 Minutes Daily" Practice Challenge

      By iacas · Posted

      Day 430 - 2025-12-04 Slow motion backswings (with chippy shots) with AlmostGolf balls.
    • WillieT
      "5 Minutes Daily" Practice Challenge

      By WillieT · Posted

      Day 24 (4 Dec 25) - Spent about an hour working with the new 55° wedge in the backyard.  Kept all shots to under 20yds.  Big focus - not decelerating thru downswing and keeping speed up with abbreviated backswing.  Nothing like hitting a low flighted chip with plenty of check spin and then purpose to float a pitch of similar distance.  
    • 5amZ
      "5 Minutes Daily" Practice Challenge

      By 5amZ · Posted

      Day 114 12-4 Put some work in on backswing, moving the hips correctly, then feeling over to lead side. Didn't hit any balls was just focused on keeping flowy and moving better. I'll probably do another session tonight and add in some foam balls.
    • GolfLug
      Differential vs Course Handicap

      By GolfLug · Posted

      Didn't say anything about your understanding in my post.  Well, if you are not insisting on alignment with logic of the WHS, then no.  Try me/us. What do you want from us then?? You are not making sense. You come here and post in an open forum, question a system that is constructed with logic, without using any of your own and then give us a small window of your personal experience to support your narrative which at first sight does not makes sense.  I mean, if you are a point of swearing then I would suggest you cut your losses and humor a more gullible audience elsewhere. Good heavens.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

  I accept