Paul Casey almost penalized for putted ball running over a bug

[bulls9999]

This is beyond preposterous (ok, I'm sensationalizing it). But for the rules guy to suggest that "if you purposely putt your ball over a bug, that's an infraction".

OK, everyone raise your hand if you feel trying to run over a bug while putting will increase your chances of making that putt? And that you would seriously consider doing it on purpose!!

[https://golfchannel.com/news/watch-paul-casey-narrowly-escapes-rules-infraction-hitting-bug-putt](https://www.golfchannel.com/news/watch-paul-casey-narrowly-escapes-rules-infraction-hitting-bug-putt "https://golfchannel.com/news/watch-paul-casey-narrowly-escapes-rules-infraction-hitting-bug-putt")

[farmer]

If you're good enough to hit a bug so it will deflect your ball into the hole, then why not just make the putt?

[tiderider]

asinine for anyone to call him in and ask ... truly asinine ...

[KRAMER1997]

make the rules more concise and use common sense.

[ohioglfr]

Incredible.

A bug on the putting green is no different than a leaf, goose poo or other natural obstruction. We're not talking endangered species here.

[diugnal]

Key word “knowingly” has been changed inadvertently to “purposely”.

So not deliberate.

 

Because Paul C didn’t KNOW he had hit the bug. There was no requirement for him to cop a penalty.

The relevant Rule is actually 11.1b Exception 2. (Not 11.2b which was quoted in media references)

If you read the Rule Exception it refers to ANIMAL.

Go Definitions for ANIMAL and find it means just about any animate being except humans. That means very small bugs, spiders etc., are included.

I reckon a lot of putts contact little bugs on the way to the hole or probably missing it.

If you know for sure you must “cancel” the stroke and try again.

Talk about complicated! Live insects on a ball are “Loose Impediments.

The Rules are much better but still have plenty of complications.

[straightshot7]

How do we know the bug wasn't in on it?

[dalehead]

Hitting a bug at the precise angle to deflect your ball into the hole. Man, these guys ARE good. And Paul Casey isn’t even a physics major.

[2bGood]

Can't wait for the next time I miss a putt, and I claim I get replay it as I saw it hit a bug. (;

[JRS]

it actually went to the left of the bug. everyone involved should have a 20 meter tall golf ball rolled over them.

[Vindog]

I'm so confused. Why am I supposed to be outraged again?

[BMC]

"These guys are good"!

[MattyO1984]

Golf just doesn’t want to help itself does it?!

[ray9898]

I'm outraged! Can someone give me some more details?!?!

[bulls9999]

Haha, that's a good one. They didn't think that clause (playover if running over a bug) could case more chaos for re-plays on missed putts than the rule itself if perchance one should run over a bug.

 

> @2bGood said:

> Can't wait for the next time I miss a putt, and I claim I get replay it as I saw it hit a bug. (;

 

 

[SkiSchoolPro]

> @ohioglfr said:

> Incredible.

> A bug on the putting green is no different than a leaf, goose poo or other natural obstruction. We're not talking endangered species here.

 

With a leaf, I think it depends on whether it is moving or not. Shots hitting a blowing leaf should be replayed to avoid penalty. https://www.golf.com/tour-news/2017/09/24/pro-golfers-ball-hit-blowing-leaf-leads-four-stroke-penalty

[Noke]

Might want to contact a therapist if you think you're supposed to be outraged by a rules infraction.

 

> @Vindog said:

> I'm so confused. Why am I supposed to be outraged again?

 

 

[Roadking2003]

> @bulls9999 said:

> This is beyond preposterous (ok, I'm sensationalizing it). But for the rules guy to suggest that "if you purposely putt your ball over a bug, that's an infraction".

> OK, everyone raise your hand if you feel trying to run over a bug while putting will increase your chances of making that putt? And that you would seriously consider doing it on purpose!!

> [https://golfchannel.com/news/watch-paul-casey-narrowly-escapes-rules-infraction-hitting-bug-putt](https://www.golfchannel.com/news/watch-paul-casey-narrowly-escapes-rules-infraction-hitting-bug-putt "https://golfchannel.com/news/watch-paul-casey-narrowly-escapes-rules-infraction-hitting-bug-putt")

 

Your post title is misleading. There is no penalty for putting over a bug. The penalty would be for not replaying the shot if you know you hit an animal.

 

If you know your ball hit an animal, you must replay the shot.

[Roadking2003]

> @ray9898 said:

> I'm outraged! Can someone give me some more details?!?!

 

No need to be outraged. See post #18.

[thevaporz]

> @Roadking2003 said:

> > @bulls9999 said:

> > This is beyond preposterous (ok, I'm sensationalizing it). But for the rules guy to suggest that "if you purposely putt your ball over a bug, that's an infraction".

> > OK, everyone raise your hand if you feel trying to run over a bug while putting will increase your chances of making that putt? And that you would seriously consider doing it on purpose!!

> > [https://golfchannel.com/news/watch-paul-casey-narrowly-escapes-rules-infraction-hitting-bug-putt](https://www.golfchannel.com/news/watch-paul-casey-narrowly-escapes-rules-infraction-hitting-bug-putt "https://golfchannel.com/news/watch-paul-casey-narrowly-escapes-rules-infraction-hitting-bug-putt")

>

> Your post title is misleading. There is no penalty for putting over a bug. The penalty would be for not replaying the shot if you know you hit an animal.

>

> If you know your ball hit an animal, you must replay the shot.

 

Is this true for hitting a duck/bird by accident on any shot not using a putter from off the green? You have to replay the shot?

[thevaporz]

> @diugnal said:

> Key word “knowingly” has been changed inadvertently to “purposely”.

> So not deliberate.

>

> Because Paul C didn’t KNOW he had hit the bug. There was no requirement for him to cop a penalty.

> The relevant Rule is actually 11.1b Exception 2. (Not 11.2b which was quoted in media references)

> If you read the Rule Exception it refers to ANIMAL.

> Go Definitions for ANIMAL and find it means just about any animate being except humans. That means very small bugs, spiders etc., are included.

> I reckon a lot of putts contact little bugs on the way to the hole or probably missing it.

> If you know for sure you must “cancel” the stroke and try again.

> Talk about complicated! Live insects on a ball are “Loose Impediments.

> The Rules are much better but still have plenty of complications.

 

With live insects on your ball, are you allowed to mark your ball from any of the playing areas to remove the bug? I've had a few bees get attracted to my ball and usually simple waving shoos them off but say you're chipping from off the green can you just mark it to remove it?

[Vindog]

> @Noke said:

> Might want to contact

> @thevaporz said:

> > @Roadking2003 said:

> > > @bulls9999 said:

> > > This is beyond preposterous (ok, I'm sensationalizing it). But for the rules guy to suggest that "if you purposely putt your ball over a bug, that's an infraction".

> > > OK, everyone raise your hand if you feel trying to run over a bug while putting will increase your chances of making that putt? And that you would seriously consider doing it on purpose!!

> > > [https://golfchannel.com/news/watch-paul-casey-narrowly-escapes-rules-infraction-hitting-bug-putt](https://www.golfchannel.com/news/watch-paul-casey-narrowly-escapes-rules-infraction-hitting-bug-putt "https://golfchannel.com/news/watch-paul-casey-narrowly-escapes-rules-infraction-hitting-bug-putt")

> >

> > Your post title is misleading. There is no penalty for putting over a bug. The penalty would be for not replaying the shot if you know you hit an animal.

> >

> > If you know your ball hit an animal, you must replay the shot.

>

> Is this true for hitting a duck/bird by accident on any shot not using a putter from off the green? You have to replay the shot?

 

No. That only applies to balls played on the putting green. Otherwise the ball is played as it lies with no penalty.

[sui generis]

> @SkiSchoolPro said:

> > @ohioglfr said:

> > Incredible.

> > A bug on the putting green is no different than a leaf, goose poo or other natural obstruction. We're not talking endangered species here.

>

> With a leaf, I think it depends on whether it is moving or not. Shots hitting a blowing leaf should be replayed to avoid penalty. https://www.golf.com/tour-news/2017/09/24/pro-golfers-ball-hit-blowing-leaf-leads-four-stroke-penalty

 

Old news . . . pre-2019.

[grm24]

> @Vindog said:

> > @Noke said:

> > Might want to contact

> > @thevaporz said:

> > > @Roadking2003 said:

> > > > @bulls9999 said:

> > > > This is beyond preposterous (ok, I'm sensationalizing it). But for the rules guy to suggest that "if you purposely putt your ball over a bug, that's an infraction".

> > > > OK, everyone raise your hand if you feel trying to run over a bug while putting will increase your chances of making that putt? And that you would seriously consider doing it on purpose!!

> > > > [https://golfchannel.com/news/watch-paul-casey-narrowly-escapes-rules-infraction-hitting-bug-putt](https://www.golfchannel.com/news/watch-paul-casey-narrowly-escapes-rules-infraction-hitting-bug-putt "https://golfchannel.com/news/watch-paul-casey-narrowly-escapes-rules-infraction-hitting-bug-putt")

> > >

> > > Your post title is misleading. There is no penalty for putting over a bug. The penalty would be for not replaying the shot if you know you hit an animal.

> > >

> > > If you know your ball hit an animal, you must replay the shot.

> >

> > Is this true for hitting a duck/bird by accident on any shot not using a putter from off the green? You have to replay the shot?

>

> No. That only applies to balls played on the putting green. Otherwise the ball is played as it lies with no penalty.

 

Jimmy Walker and Kelly Kraft both nod in agreement.

[jmcf1949]

> @farmer said:

> If you're good enough to hit a bug so it will deflect your ball into the hole, then why not just make the putt?

 

Reminds me of the time Lanny and Seve were playing a match. Seve accused Lanny of asking Seve to move his coin on the green. After bouncing his ball off Seve's coin into the hole Seve made the accusation. Lanny supposedly replied something like damn right Seve, I'm that fu%*ing good!

[SkiSchoolPro]

> @"sui generis" said:

> > @SkiSchoolPro said:

> > > @ohioglfr said:

> > > Incredible.

> > > A bug on the putting green is no different than a leaf, goose poo or other natural obstruction. We're not talking endangered species here.

> >

> > With a leaf, I think it depends on whether it is moving or not. Shots hitting a blowing leaf should be replayed to avoid penalty. https://www.golf.com/tour-news/2017/09/24/pro-golfers-ball-hit-blowing-leaf-leads-four-stroke-penalty

>

> Old news . . . pre-2019.

 

Was that one of the rules changes?

[sui generis]

> @SkiSchoolPro said:

> > @"sui generis" said:

> > > @SkiSchoolPro said:

> > > > @ohioglfr said:

> > > > Incredible.

> > > > A bug on the putting green is no different than a leaf, goose poo or other natural obstruction. We're not talking endangered species here.

> > >

> > > With a leaf, I think it depends on whether it is moving or not. Shots hitting a blowing leaf should be replayed to avoid penalty. https://www.golf.com/tour-news/2017/09/24/pro-golfers-ball-hit-blowing-leaf-leads-four-stroke-penalty

> >

> > Old news . . . pre-2019.

>

> Was that one of the rules changes?

 

Old R19 Ball in Motion, new R11 Ball in Motion.

[JD3]

True story. I accidentally ate a bug on a golf course once when it flew into my mouth during a swing. Never called it on myself but in retrospect maybe I should have checked.

[mocokid]

Harming that one lil bug could have a HUGE impact on global warming, sorry climate change.

[Ferguson]

Don't the Brits call bugs something else?

 

> @JD3 said:

> True story. I accidentally ate a bug on a golf course once when it flew into my mouth during a swing. Never called it on myself but in retrospect maybe I should have checked.

 

Were you hungry?