Destroyed the hole

[spidey]

Gary,

Playing a match, A's ball carries into the hole and severely damages the hole, so that it cannot be easily repaired. There is no official in the group. B has a putt for a half, and the hole is significantly larger than regulation on his line.

What are the options?

spidey

[Gary Hill]

The player should request the Committee to have the hole repaired.

If a Committee Member is not readily available, the player may repair the damage, without penalty.

When it is impossible for a damaged hole to be repaired so that it conforms with the Definition, the Committee may make a new hole in a nearby similar position.

[spidey]

If the committee moves the hole, is B entitled to move his ball so he has approximately the same putt (in terms of length, or difficulty)?

spidey

[Gary Hill]

No

[Ed Coleman]

Gary:

Can the player elect to putt into the damaged
hole, even though the hole has been deemed to
be non regulation, without penalty?

[Gary Hill]

It is a question of fact whether or not the Committee would be satisfied that the player's action was to circumvent the Rules.

If the proper dimensions of the hole have been changed materially, the course is considered to be unplayable and the players would be expected to wait until the hole was fixed or moved. A player demanding to putt before the hole was repaired could risk disqualification.