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Golf Rules Query - Hole-In-One Or Not

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martinjr | 19:14 Tue 12th Apr 2016 | Sport
16 Answers
Congrats to Danny Willet for his great win and what a boost for Ryder Cup prospects. Delighted that he will be playing in Irish Open later.

Arising from the 3rd hole-in-one in the 2016 Masters, Louis Oosthuizen got the 3rd hole-in-one and in doing so almost deflected his playing partner's ball (which was already on the green from the tee-off) into the hole also. Two questions arise:

1. If the deflected ball went into the hole, and therefore the first player would have struck the ball only once, would this be technically regarded as a hole-in-one?

2. What is the ruling for when a ball from tee-shot (Par 3) hits a ball already on the green and pushes it closer to the hole giving player 1 an easier putt?

I have googled this query but cannot find an answer or example for this particular situation.


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It would have been a hole in one. If both balls had gone in, it would have been two holes in one.
Sounds like all of my socks.
Darn it geezer. You you it off to a tee.
1.Even though the first player's ball was on the green & it was unfortunate
that the ball was knocked away from the hole the second ball was the one
that went in the hole - hole in one.

2. In golf there is 'rub of the green' wherein if a ball is knocked closer to
the hole by another ball it is just lucky. The ball could have been pushed
into a worse position but it's the 'rub of the green'.
Question Author
I know the second one was a hole-in-one. I'm asking if the 1st player's ball that is already on green had been knocked into the hole by player 2s tee-off shot would it count as a hole-in-one also or is there some other ruling, e.g., that the 1st ball should be replaced on original spot on the green so that player 1 must take a putt?
Both hole in one
I'm far from being a golf expert(16 handicapper) but I was always led to believe that a stationary ball on the green struck by another was to be replaced as near as possible to where it was at rest before being struck.
The ball that caused the strike was not to be replaced or moved thereafter.
To that end, if both had subsequently dropped into the cup then the first(stationary) ball would have to be replaced, surely?
Question Author
chilldoubt yours is a different scenario......for the time being concentrate on my question....and anyway you are not quite correct regarding replacement of ball as that only applies to second and subsequent strokes, in my understanding.
martinjr,
Thanks for the terse reply! I actually WAS answering your question and am addressing the very scenario that arose at the 16th in the Masters.
I'll bow out and allow you to find the answer for yourself as your knowledge of the rules is far greater than mine......
Seems both balls could have scored, though I would expect the cup to hold space for one ball only in match play (second ball would sit atop hole).

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/golf/louis-oosthuizen-hole-in-one-video-bounces-off-another-ball-masters-final-round-jb-holmes-a6977991.html
Against my better judgement, I'll add one last post. This certainly answers part 2 of your question and IMHO in all probability answers part 1 too, as I suggested earlier:

From the USGA website:

Rule 18-5
Ball at Rest Moved by Another Ball

Q. Steve`s ball was at rest on the putting green. Cindy plays from just off the green and her ball hits Steve`s ball. What must Steve do?

A. Under Rule 18-5, Steve must replace his ball back to its original position. (See related FAQ under Rule 19) Cindy must play her ball as it lies. There is no penalty to either player in either match play or stroke play. In stroke play only, if Cindy's ball lay on the putting green prior to the stroke, she would incur a penalty of two strokes.

Regardless of whether it was holed or not, the ball that was stationary(again IMHO) and struck must be replaced, but I'm having a lesson tomorrow(Xmas present) as luck would have it and I'll ask the pro for clarification.
CD as Oosthuizen ball was a hole in one, the opposing player's ball can remain on the green without fault.

Indeed it can tambo, but must be replaced to where it was at rest, or as close to it. It can't be 'rub of the green' as that applies only to a ball in motion and does not fall under the rules of outside agency either.
Read ALL posts:

http://linkscorner.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=297902&sid=49bf2db13fc8bad8c632e93028a41a97

Holed or not, the ball of JB Holmes must and was replaced to where it was initially at rest.
1. the deflected ball must be replaced
2. the ball already on the green forms part of the course for that time and as such bouncing off it into the hole counts. 2b for the deflected ball see 1.
-- answer removed --

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