Aware of what you can do when your golf ball overhangs the hole?

One of the most annoying things to happen on the golf course...

31 Jan 2020

Aware of what you can do when your golf ball overhangs the hole?

It is one of the most infuriating things to ever happen on the putting green, or even after a pin-seeking shot into the green. Your golf ball overhangs the edge of the cup, but it just will not drop no matter how many dirty looks you give it.

But are you aware of your rights, and the rules when something like this happens? How long can you realistically wait for the ball to go down? Here's all you need to know about Rule 13.3 - Ball Overhanging Hole - but be careful because there are penalties as well...

Rule 13.3 - Ball Overhanging Hole

a) Waiting Time to See If Ball Overhanging Hole Will Fall into Hole

If any part of a player’s ball overhangs the lip of the hole:

> The player is allowed a reasonable time to reach the hole and 10 more seconds to wait to see whether the ball will fall into the hole.

> If the ball falls into the hole in this waiting time, the player has holed out with the previous stroke.

> If the ball does not fall into the hole in this waiting time: The ball is treated as being at rest. If the ball then falls into the hole before it is played, the player has holed out with the previous stroke but gets one penalty stroke added to the score for the hole.

b) What to Do If Ball Overhanging Hole Is Lifted or Moved Before Waiting Time Has Ended

If a ball overhanging the hole is lifted or moved before the waiting time under Rule 13.3a has ended, the ball is treated as having come to rest:

> The ball must be replaced on the lip of the hole (see Rule 14.2), and the waiting time under Rule 13.3a no longer applies to the ball (see Rule 9.3 for what to do if the replaced ball is then moved by natural forces).

If the opponent in match play or another player in stroke play deliberately lifts or moves the player’s ball overhanging the hole before the waiting time has ended:

> In match play, the player’s ball is treated as holed with the previous stroke, and there is no penalty to the opponent under Rule 11.2b.

> In stroke play, the player who lifted or moved the ball gets the general penalty (two penalty strokes). The ball must be replaced on the lip of the hole (see Rule 14.2).

Need more help with the rules of golf? Please visit the R&A website.