golfrewind.com

I went golfing yesterday for the first time since Feb. I was on a long par 3. My ball landed on the green and stayed on the green. This was witnessed by two buddies that I had with me. The green is a blind green. There is a small hill between the tee box and the green. After we all shot we went to look at our handy work. One problem...... my ball was gone. There was a golf course worker getting ready to do some minor repairs on the green that we had just shot at. I think he picked up my ball. We searched and searched but no ball. So I asked the guy if he had picked it up by mistake and he flat out refused that he did that. Now my 2 buddies seen the ball hit, land, and stay on the green. I said score it is a lost ball take my penalty and finish the hole. Later I told the course marshall about what had happened and he said "since we did not see him pick up the ball he can not do anything".

How do you rule this?

If it was a blind green, how did you and your buddies see it land and stick on the green? I think we've all had this situation or something similar, not too many times on the green, but more like "I know I hit the middle of the fairway and it should be right here, but it's not" Anyways, as far as I know you scored it right. A lost ball is a lost ball. Unless you actually witnessed something or somebody moving your ball, that would be a different story. There could be a million reasons why your ball was not there anymore.

Unfortunately, Bobby is right. It counts as a lost ball and you must replay from tee box. I know it stinks, but that's the rule in this case.

On most blind shots we send someone to watch the ball. That way if you shoot off to the side it is easier to find. Thanks for the info. I did not shoot again. I dropped another ball by a buddies and added the stroke when the hole was done.

18-1 By Outside Agency
If a ball at rest is moved by an outside agency, there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced.
This would be the rule if you absolutely certain the ball had come to rest on the green - it would definitely be better if someone witnessed the ball being removed or someone admitted to doing it. If you watched Fuzzy Zoeller's hole-in-one recently, you would see his ball sitting on the fringe for about ten full seconds before rolling back toward the hole. Still, if that happened with your ball, it is doubtful that it rolled away to a position where it couldn't be found. I think almost certainly your ball was moved by an outside agency - however, you must be CERTAIN under the rules.