[Golf Rules... Knowledge is Power] Hole-in-One After Being Hit by a Partner's Ball

Replay of ball moved by external influence to original spot
No penalty, estimated play when exact spot unknown
Play resumes from stopped spot when ball hits opponent's ball

Golf has no referees. It is a "gentleman's sport" where golfers play by following the rules themselves. The golf rules are "assistants" created to help with play. If you know them well and use them appropriately, they can greatly help with score management. These are golf rules that weekend golfers must know.

You made a perfect tee shot on a par 3 hole. You thought it was a hole-in-one, but the ball stopped just in front of the hole. It was a disappointing moment, as the ball was only 1cm away from making a hole-in-one. Your playing partner also made a good tee shot. Their ball rolled toward the hole and pushed the ball that was already there into the hole. Thanks to the opponent player's help, it became a "hole-in-one."

However, this is not a hole-in-one. According to golf rule 9.6, a ball moved by an outside influence must be replaced at its original spot. There is no penalty. You can take the ball out again, replace it, and continue play. If the exact spot is unknown, you can estimate the position and resume play.

Then, what should the player who hit the opponent's ball do? Golf rule 11.1 applies. If a moving ball hits an opponent's ball on the course, play continues from the spot where the ball stopped. Of course, there is no penalty. The ball that hit the opponent's ball must be played as it lies.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.