Ball lost in fairway

[Kiwi]

I thought this was addressed a while ago, but a search did not come up with that post...
Situation: ball hit, lands in fairway/first cut, but cannot be found. Ground may be very wet, therefore plugged; casual water, therefore submerged; or heavily covered by leaves. Ball DID land/stay in area indicated, as attested to by fellow competitors. So, what is the ruling? You get to where the ball should be, and cannot find it. Thanks

[Wknd_Warrior]

the key word here is "lost"

[Kiwi]

the key word here is "lost"

Well, my Rule Book is MIA, so not sure the significance of this word... BUT, my point is were it not for the condition of the fairway (soaking wet; underwater; or under leaves), the ball would have been found...

[spackler]

It's a lost ball.

[AAA]

If it wasn't known or virtually certain that the ball was specifically in one of the conditions you mention then, unless it is found within 5 minutes it is lost.

[nokids]

Sorry to burst your bubble but the leaf rule does not exist. Neither does Santa Claus.

[Kilroy]

The Leafs have not ruled since 1967

[jeffc]

Sorry to burst your bubble but the leaf rule does not exist. Neither does Santa Claus.

Easter Bunny?

[Kiwi]

OK, found my Rules of Golf 2004-2007... so no Leaf(s) Rule, fine; and ball is "lost" per Rule 27 if it buries and cannot be found in fairway, so only thing is the ball in "casual water" aka Abnormal Ground Conditions. So if my fellow competitors see the ball splash in the fairway where I hit my ball and upon examining the area, find "casual water" but no ball, would seem that Rule 25-1-c applies, right?. Not sure what other "facts" there could be to satisfy this conclusion other than someone else closer confirming the sighting. So a free drop, in accordance with the above Rule and I'm off, right? Damn Leafs...

[nokids]

So a free drop, in accordance with the above Rule and I'm off, right?

See below.

If it wasn't known or virtually certain that the ball was specifically in one of the conditions you mention then, unless it is found within 5 minutes it is lost.

[Sunny D]

Variation on a theme here....

Last winter while playing in Florida I hit first in our group of four. The ball clearly hit the fairway and rolled into the first cut right near a bunker. Someone completely miss hit their ball on an adjoining fairway and was searching for it on in our rough. They stop and hit where my ball landed. Can a swear that they hit my ball. No. I assume it was my ball yes as they hit exactly where I saw my ball land. Though note I could not see the ball from my position in the tee box. I played as a free drop. Did I likely break the rules?

[AAA]

Probably.

[Sunny D]

So it's a lost ball. Fair enough, though frustrating when dealing with ball hounds.

[Kilroy]

In your case, it's lost

Can a swear that they hit my ball. No. I assume it was my ball yes

However, if it it is known or virtually certain they hit or picked up your ball...

Ball at Rest Moved
8-1. By Outside Agency
If a ball at rest is moved by an outside agency, there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced.
Note: It is a question of fact whether a ball has been moved by an outside agency. In order to apply this Rule, it must be known or virtually certain that an outside agency has moved the ball. In the absence of such knowledge or certainty, the player must play the ball as it lies or, if the ball is not found, proceed under Rule 27-1.

[Sunny D]

Thanks much Kilroy.... as I suspected. As much as it pains me maybe when playing in Florida I will play with fluorescent green or yellow balls. That way maybe folks will be less likely to ball hawk. Now back to your regularly scheduled thread.

[savosean]

If you lose the ball in the fairway, you are suppose to run back to the tee box and hit another one and you are shooting 3 from the tee box.

[John]

Yeah like that happens with 98% of golfers on muni courses with groups waiting on the tee.

[savosean]

Yeah like that happens with 98% of golfers on muni courses with groups waiting on the tee.

Well of course you cannot do it on a busy day, but that's what you are suppose to do.