Burrowing Animals (ground squirrels)

[Dave Travis]

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]

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!  

[dennyjones]

Welcome to TST.