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Burrowing Animals (ground squirrels)

Dave Travis

By Dave Travis,
in Rules of Golf

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Dave Travis Newbie

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!  

 

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  • iacas changed the title to Burrowing Animals (ground squirrels)
David in FL Incredible Member

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!  :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

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Note: This thread is 2484 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!

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