This happened to a friend of mine at work...
After getting rained on heavily, he took aim on a par 3, took his back swing, and on the down swing he lost the grip on the club. Hits about 8" behind the ball, digs a divot that flips up and over the ball covering it completely. The club then flies out of his hands down the fairway.
How should the golfer proceed? Obviously that stroke counts, but does he have to take an unplayable? Is it lost because he can't identify the ball even though he knows it's under there? Can the divot be removed? Would that be 'improving' his lie? Does 'always replace your divots' come into play? Loose impediment?
I'm at a loss as to how this would be handled in accordance with the rules of golf.
After getting rained on heavily, he took aim on a par 3, took his back swing, and on the down swing he lost the grip on the club. Hits about 8" behind the ball, digs a divot that flips up and over the ball covering it completely. The club then flies out of his hands down the fairway.
How should the golfer proceed? Obviously that stroke counts, but does he have to take an unplayable? Is it lost because he can't identify the ball even though he knows it's under there? Can the divot be removed? Would that be 'improving' his lie? Does 'always replace your divots' come into play? Loose impediment?
I'm at a loss as to how this would be handled in accordance with the rules of golf.