Ball Hits Electric Box

If a player's ball in motion is accidentally deflected or stopped by any outside agency , it is a rub of the green , there is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies, except:

a.

If a player's ball in motion after a stroke other than on the putting green comes to rest in or on any moving or animate outside agency , 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 came to rest in or on the outside agency , but not nearer the hole , and

b.

If a player's ball in motion after a stroke on the putting green is deflected or stopped by, or comes to rest in or on, any moving or animate outside agency , except a worm, insect or the like, the stroke is canceled. The ball must be replaced and replayed.

If the ball is not immediately recoverable, another ball may be substituted .

In match play, an " outside agency " is any agency other than either the player's or opponent's side , any caddie of either side , any ball played by either side at the hole being played or any equipment of either side .

In stroke play, an outside agency is any agency other than the competitor's side , any caddie of the side , any ball played by the side at the hole being played or any equipment of the side .

An outside agency includes a referee , a marker , an observer and a forecaddie . Neither wind nor water is an outside agency .

Sorry if this has been brought up before...

I hit my 2nd shot on a par 5. I hit a thin 3 wood and it absolutely nailed an electrical box. A playing partner said I get a free redo. I never knew this rule, but re-hit. Was he correct?

Yesterday my high capper buddy hit a worm burner that nailed a "no carts" sign that sits 8" off the ground. He brought up my redo with that electrical box and wanted the same do over. I told him I thought it was different.

We don't play for money or anything, but I was curious about these two situations.

Thanks in advance!

I don't think so. Electrical boxes are not "outside agencies." It is called "rub of the green." It is no different than if my ball hits a tree.

I don't think so. Electrical boxes are not "outside agencies." It is called "rub of the green." It is no different than if my ball hits a tree.

19-1. By Outside Agency

If a player's ball in motion is accidentally deflected or stopped by any outside agency, it is a rub of the green, there is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies, except:

a.

If a player's ball in motion after a stroke other than on the putting green comes to rest in or on any moving or animate outside agency, 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 came to rest in or on the outside agency, but not nearer the hole, and

b.

If a player's ball in motion after a stroke on the putting green is deflected or stopped by, or comes to rest in or on, any moving or animate outside agency, except a worm, insect or the like, the stroke is canceled. The ball must be replaced and replayed.

If the ball is not immediately recoverable, another ball may be substituted.

In match play, an "outside agency" is any agency other than either the player's or opponent's side, any caddie of either side, any ball played by either side at the hole being played or any equipment of either side.

In stroke play, an outside agency is any agency other than the competitor's side, any caddie of the side, any ball played by the side at the hole being played or any equipment of the side.

An outside agency includes a referee, a marker, an observer and a forecaddie. Neither wind nor water is an outside agency.

Power lines must be the only "reload for free" obstacle.

What if you bounce off the windmill and deflect off the clown's mouth? ;)

If a ball strikes an elevated power line or cable, the stroke is canceled and the player must play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was played in accordance with Rule 20-5 (Making Next Stroke from Where Previous Stroke Made).

Note: Guy wires supporting a temporary immovable obstruction are part of the temporary immovable obstruction, unless the Committee, by Local Rule, declares that they are to be treated as elevated power lines or cables.

Exception: A stroke that results in a ball striking an elevated junction section of cable rising from the ground must not be replayed.

There is a specimen LR for powerlines which interestingly changed several years ago - it used to say may cancel the stroke; now it says must.

If a ball strikes an elevated power line or cable, the stroke is canceled and the player must play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was played in accordance with Rule 20-5 (Making Next Stroke from Where Previous Stroke Made).

Note: Guy wires supporting a temporary immovable obstruction are part of the temporary immovable obstruction, unless the Committee, by Local Rule, declares that they are to be treated as elevated power lines or cables.

Exception: A stroke that results in a ball striking an elevated junction section of cable rising from the ground must not be replayed.

"If a ball strikes the power line during play of the ____ hole, the stroke is canceled and the player must play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was played in accordance with Rule 20-5 (Making Next Stroke from Where Previous Stroke Made)."

In some cases the Committee may wish to include in the Local Rule the towers or poles supporting such lines when the towers or poles are positioned such that they interfere with the play of the hole.

The Decision has changed a few times since 2004 (when it said must).

It now reads -

"If a ball strikes the power line during play of the ____ hole, the stroke is canceled and the player must play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was played in accordance with Rule 20-5 (Making Next Stroke from Where Previous Stroke Made)."

In some cases the Committee may wish to include in the Local Rule the towers or poles supporting such lines when the towers or poles are positioned such that they interfere with the play of the hole.