After going around social networks, the video of the ball stuck between the edge of the hole and the collar was sent to the USGA so that a referee can decide. As mentioned, the ball must be in contact with the flagstick left in the hole for the decision of paragraph c of rule 13.2 to apply: “When a player’s ball lies against the flagstick left in the hole: If any part of the ball is in the hole below the surface of the putting green, the ball is considered holed even if the entire ball is not below the surface”
But here that is not the case. The ball is not directly against the flagstick. It got inserted between the edge of the hole and the flange. And the arbitrator cannot therefore rely on this point precisely to render his decision.
Hole in one or not
He explains that as a result, to be considered in the hole, the entire ball must be under the surface. The images do not allow him to determine if this is indeed the case, he does not pronounce but his lighting therefore raises the doubt.
Either the ball is entirely below the surface of the hole and it is a hole-in-one, or it is not and the player can take the ball out of its pitch, place it nearby and complete the hole. The rules of golf are a set of standard rules and procedures by which the sport of golf should be played.
They are jointly written and operated by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, the governing body of golf throughout the world, other than the United States and Mexico, which are the responsibility of the United States Golf Association.
A panel of experts made up of members of the R&A and USGA oversees and refines the rules every four years. The latest revision is effective from 1 January 2016. Changes to the rules of golf generally fall into two main categories: those that improve understanding and those that in some cases reduce penalties to ensure balance.
The rule book, titled “Rules of Golf”, is published on a regular basis and also includes rules governing amateur status. In Italy it is up to Federgolf to supervise competitions by enforcing the rules issued by the R & A, checking that these rules are observed by the Clubs, Associations and their members and manages the resulting sports justice, protecting their interests abroad.
The rules of golf are relatively complicated compared to other sports because they are applied outdoors, close to nature and animals. Respect for the rules is a basic element in the game of golf, which, almost always based on the self-control and free conscience of the players, often sees distorted results, consciously at times, but often unconsciously or out of lightness, due to non-compliance by many players of the game rules.
In addition to the rules, golf adheres to a code of conduct, known as etiquette, which generally means playing the game with due respect for the golf course and other players. Etiquette is an essential component of this sport.
