What if an Outside Agency Moves Your Golf Ball?

What if something, other than another player on the course, moves your golf ball? Well, it can happen. For example, a bird might land on a putting green and then move your ball a few yards; and perhaps even off the green.

Were that to happen then the bird is an 'outside agency.' It is stated in the R&A guidelines that, "if a ball at rest is moved by an outside agency, the player shall incur no penalty and the ball shall be replaced before the players plays another stroke." Thus, you can replace the golf ball; and place it back where it was.

However, a moving ball could still be moved by an outside agency on the putting green. The R&A book states, "If a ball in motion after a stroke on the putting green is deflected or stopped by ... any moving or animate outside agency.... the stroke shall be canceled, the ball replaced and the stroke replayed." Once again you pretty much get a free drop.

What if a ball not on the green is moved in motion? R&A guidelines state, "If a ball in motion is accidentally deflected or stopped by any outside agency, it is a rub of the green, no penalty is incurred and the ball shall be played as it lies." That is unless the ball lands in lake or something; in which case you'll probably have to drop ball.

Great Golf Courses of the U.K. Open

The U.K. Open is undoubtedly the most famous golf championship outside North America. It is a major steeped in history. In this championship the top ranked golfers play for the coveted Claret Jug. A variety of U.K. golf courses, largely in Scotland and England, have hosted the championship. These are a few of the more notable golf courses that have hosted numerous U.K. Opens.... Click link for full article.

The European Golf Club

The European Golf Club, in Ireland, is an exciting golf course. Located on the coastline of Wicklow, this is a golf course that has 20 holes. The European Golf Club is also ranked 27th in Golf Digest's rankings for top golf courses outside the United States. It's a links golf course with some great landscape and terrific holes. This video shows some of its holes.

What if Your Ball Lands on Another Hole's Green?

Well, it can happen. An inaccurate shot from off the tee, or perhaps fairway, could send the ball onto the green of an adjacent hole. If a ball lands on the wrong putting green the R&A book states that:

"On the Putting Green: If the ball lies on the putting green, the
player must lift the ball and place it, without penalty, at the nearest
point of relief that is not in a hazard or, if complete relief is
impossible, at the nearest position to where it lay that affords
maximum available relief from the condition, but not nearer the
hole and not in a hazard. The nearest point of relief or maximum
available relief may be off the putting green."

 As such, you should certainly not play the ball as it lies. Yet you don't have to retake the shot from the tee or fairway either, and instead get a free drop near to the green. 

The Golf Course on a Mine Deposit

The Pete Dye Golf Course, in West Virginia, is one built atop a mine deposit. It includes a strip-mine wall, black cinder bunkers and an abandoned coal train on the 10th hole. In addition, a coal mine shaft leads up to the seventh hole. It's an interesting location for a great 7,353 yard golf course ranked 46 in Golf Digest's rankings. Check out this video tour of the first nine holes at the golf course.

Keeping Your Balls Warm

You might have heard golf balls go further in warmer climates than colder ones. Golf ball cores are heated up during the summer, and so they will go a little further than the same balls in winter. When playing in the winter you should, therefore, heat up the golf ball as much as possible.

There are various ways that you can keep your balls warm. One way is to simply alternative balls between each of the holes. The balls that are left in the bag can then warm up a bit before you play them. In addition, wrap the golf balls up in the bag with small tea towels.

You should also consider heating the balls up before the round. Why not place them on top of a boiling hot radiator for a few hours before you go to the golf course? Alternatively, the balls can be soaked in hot water beforehand.

There are also golf ball warmers which can heat up the balls. Golf ball warmers can heat up the ball to an optimum temperature (105°F to 115°F) during the winter. There are various golf ball warmers that can heat up four, five or six golf balls. Some golf ball warmers require a cigarette lighter to heat them up. Then keep the balls in the warmer with the lid closed until on the golf course. Check out this page for further details on the golf ball warmers.

Hole by Hole Guide to Aisla Course Turnberry

Among the more famous U.K. golf courses is that of the Aisla Course in Turnberry. This is a  7,211 yard 18-hole championship golf course which has hosted four U.K. Opens. It's a coastal golf course that has holes which are flanked by rocks and sandy hillocks. Check out this hole by hole video tour of the golf course.

Vassos Alexander – Sports Commentator

Vassos Alexander, full name Vassos Alexander Georgiades, has been a sports commentator and presenter for several years and has been surprised more than once during that time. But his biggest surprise must have been turning up at the Radio 2 studios one early morning in April to find himself thrust into the role of anchor for the breakfast show.

Regular host, broadcaster Chris Evans had turned up to work for the 6.30am slot only to find that his voice had gone. Struggling to make his voice audible and with the show live on air, Evans had little choice other than to give up the ghost but, fortunately for everyone, Alexander was on hand to step into the breach.

Announcing that he had taken over the reins, Alexander apologised to the listeners and explained the situation. He made it clear, however, that Evans was still in the studio pulling the strings and telling him what to say and do. His efforts were well received by the audience, but he was gracious enough to concede that Evans had done all the hard work while he had merely acted as the ventriloquist’s dummy.

The Chris Evans Breakfast show on BBC Radio 2 is the flagship programme on the station, replacing the long running show of retiring Sir Terry Wogan.

Alexander’s brief stint in the hot seat was extra proof, if any was needed, as to just how versatile he is. In more than ten years of broadcasting, he has covered a wide range of sport displaying great wit and expertise. Equally at home on television or radio, he has reported or commentated on most major sporting events – FIFA World Cup, Wimbledon, the Ashes, World Championship Darts and the Olympic games are a brief selection of those he has covered.

Alexander is now well established with the BBC, including seven years with 5 Live, and is an integral member of the golf, athletics and tennis teams. He has previously worked for Eurosport. Sky, ITN, Bloomberg News and local radio so he is vastly experienced.

But Alexander does not limit himself to being an observer. He is no great sportsperson himself but he enjoys taking part. He particularly enjoys running marathons, especially around Richmond Park and is always willing to have a go when the opportunity arises. There have been times, however, when not everything went as planned. He once came close to colliding with a tree in a rally car and even crashed at Silverstone.

A Londoner by birth, Alexander loves spending time with Caroline, his wife, and their children Emily and Matthew, and of course the family dog, that is when he is not commentating or taking part in his own sports activities. Still resident in London, he is also multi-lingual and can speak English, French, German, Greek and Russian.

As sports commentators go, Alexander is as versatile, knowledgeable and talented as any. His skill and charismatic personality show through in all he does and have made him a sought-after speaker, adding another string to his already considerable bow.

About the author: 

Tony Jackson is a freelance media commentator.