|
Congratulations!
 
back to Rules Corner
Answer to this week's Rules Question:
The correct answer is
D
- Decision 26-1/1 Meaning of "Known or Virtually Certain":
|
"... If a ball has been struck towards a water
hazard and has not been found, the term “known or virtually certain”
indicates the level of confidence that the ball is in the water
hazard that is required for the player to proceed under Rule
26-1. A player may not assume that his ball is in a water hazard
simply because there is a possibility that the ball may be in the
hazard. If it is not known that the ball is in the water hazard, in
order for the player to proceed under Rule
26-1 there must be almost no doubt that the ball is in the hazard.
Otherwise, a ball that cannot be found must be considered lost outside
the hazard and the player must proceed under Rule
27-1.
All available evidence must be taken into account in
determining whether knowledge or virtual certainty exists, including
any testimony and the physical conditions in the area around the water
hazard. For example, if a water hazard is surrounded by a fairway on
which a ball could hardly be lost, there exists a greater certainty that
the ball is in the hazard than there would be if there were deep rough
in the area. Observing a ball splash in a water hazard would not
necessarily provide knowledge or virtual certainty as to the location of
the ball as sometimes such a ball may skip out of a hazard.
The same principle would apply for a ball that may have
been moved by an outside agency (Rule
18-1) or a ball that has not been found and may be in an obstruction
(Rule
24-3) or an abnormal ground condition (Rule
25-1c). (Revised) ..." |
Therefore:
-
Scenario A:
The fact that the player saw a fox scampering away from the area where
he hit is ball is not sufficient evidence that the ball was moved by an
outside agency. Since there had been recent heavy rains, the ball
could have plugged in the fairway. If the player cannot find his
ball, he must proceed under Rule 27-1 (Ball Lost).
-
Scenario B:
Just because the player saw his ball splash 295 yards away is not
sufficient evidence that his ball is in the water hazard. The ball
could have skipped out into the tall grass or the woods. In order
for the player to take relief from the water hazard, he must find his ball
in the hazard. If he cannot, he must proceed under Rule 27-1.
-
Scenario C:
The player cannot claim that his ball is in the tree even though he
didn't see it come down. He must be able to see and identify his
ball in the tree in order to proceed under the Unplayable Ball Rule.
The ball could have come down and be laying somewhere in the fescue.
The player's only option if he cannot find/identify the ball is to proceed
under Rule 27-1.
-
Scenario D:
Even though the player did not see his ball land from the tee, in this
situation, the player can safely assume that his ball is in the hazard -
the circumstances dictate that it is known or virtually certain
that the ball is in the hazard:
- the area surrounding the pond is closely mown
where a ball could hardly be lost and
- a spectator (player in preceding
group) saw the ball land and come to rest in the middle of the pond
The biggest thing
to remember when trying to grasp the concept of known or virtually
certain is a simple phrase:
If the ball can
be anywhere else, then you have to assume it is!
In other words,
if a ball might be in a hazard (or abnormal ground condition or
obstruction) but it could also be somewhere/anywhere else, then you
have to assume that it is indeed somewhere else and your only option is to
proceed under Rule 27-1! |
