Rule 16.2

[Colin L]

Out of curiosity as  I'm not planning a golfing holiday in Florida, how would you proceed when faced with this very uncuddly looking chap on the putting green ?   Rule 16.2 should be your friend but how could you apply it?  

 

[st1800e]

In a “real tournament”, wait till the gator leaves. Otherwise, it a gimme!   And vamoose!  Seriously,  based on “the most likely score”, 95%,  from there, it’s one or two putts.  

[SE Gamer]

47 minutes ago, st1800e said:

In a “real tournament”, wait till the gator leaves. Otherwise, it a gimme!   And vamoose!  Seriously,  based on “the most likely score”, 95%,  from there, it’s one or two putts.  

 

If you're going with the most likely score. Do you have to base that on putting out with a gator 3 feet away? 

[Colin L]

To clarify, my question is about competition stroke play not about handicapping.  It seems to me that the only way forward  is for the group involved and everyone behind them to wait while the course management gets the the beast moved. I cannot see any way within the Rules to get round the problem.  I just wondered if there was a rules way of proceeding that I'm not familiar with as we tend not to encounter alligators on putting greens in Scotland.  

 

It's no problem, of course, if there is a Cody Gribble in the group.  

 

 

 

Edited January 3, 2023 by Colin L

[st1800e]

1 hour ago, Colin L said:

To clarify, my question is about competition stroke play not about handicapping.  It seems to me that the only way forward  is for the group involved and everyone behind them to wait while the course management gets the the beast moved. The rules do have some leeway I cannot see any way within the Rules to get round the problem.  I just wondered if there was a rules way of proceeding that I'm not familiar with as we tend not to encounter alligators on putting greens in Scotland.  

 

It's no problem, of course, if there is a Cody Gribble in the group.  

 

 

Colin, I believe you are correct.  As I said, in a real tournament, yes competition stroke play, wait… Would be a factor in match play as well if the opponent wouldn't concede the putt.  
 

I don’t think there’s anything in the rules to avoid waiting until the gator leaves or is removed by other means. The rule doesn’t appear to contemplate this situation. Similarly, if the entire green was under casual water, relief for that abnormal course condition couldn’t happen until at least part of the green, with a path to the hole didn’t have casual water.  
You could send a rules inquiry to the R&A for an official answer.  
 

Are you trying to settle a bet? 😀
 

Cheers

[st1800e]

Apparently  for brave officials it’s not too difficult to resolve the gator situation. 
 

 

[Colin L]

No bets - just curious whether those who actually encounter this sort of situation had a rules way round it other than waiting to get the animal chased off by those confident/competent in dealing with them.  Judging by your video there are folk organised with buggies and brooms to chase the beggars back into the water.

 

The potentially fiercest animal I've come across on a golf course here was a swan on its nest a metre away from my ball.  

 

 

Edited January 3, 2023 by Colin L