In the Hole !

In a recent game, one of the players told me that failing to remove a ball from the hole (holed out ball) before the next person holed out would result in a penalty stroke.

I have checked the rules and I cannot find any mention of this...in fact I would suspect that as the ball has been holed it is "out of play" and therefore cannot possibly cause a penalty...after all, what harm can it do !

Has anyone heard of this before and is there ANY truth to the tale?

Hi Nic,

There is no rule for this, but there is a great superstition in regards to this situation. Many golfers believe there is only room for 1 ball in the hole and that if there is a ball in the cup already, another will not go in. Of course, we all know it is not true, but superstitions run strong among golfers. Please take your ball out of the hole when you have putted out, it is the courteous thing to do. I know I will not putt if there is a ball in the hole already.

Thanx - I thought as much.

BTW - For the record - I always remove my ball from the hole after putting out....if only to convince myself that it ACTUALLY went in !!!

Cheers

Nic