Golfblogger

So today Daly sank 7 balls in the Australian Open on #11, then walked off out of balls.  Yes, he Tin Cupped that hole, and perhaps the last 5 balls were in anger, - I don’t really want to discuss Daly’s behavior - but something was said by the Australian PGA official which confuses me:
>>>
Said Herden: “If you run out of golf balls, and you are acting in a professional manner, you will call a rules official and we will get the type of ball he is playing with and replenish his stock.”
“We can do that. For him to treat it as ‘that’s it’ and ‘see you later,’ that’s not good enough.”
<<<

Wait, what?  I know the decision has come down that a tee can be given to a competitor, but if you run out of balls, you can have more brought to you?  And what about the time involved?

I seem to recall at a tournament at Pebble Beach a few years ago when a competitor had to stop at the pro shop and buy some new balls. I’m pretty sure as long as they are the same make and model, you’re allowed to reload.

The Original Golf Blogger - 10 November 2011 08:45 PM

I seem to recall at a tournament at Pebble Beach a few years ago when a competitor had to stop at the pro shop and buy some new balls. I’m pretty sure as long as they are the same make and model, you’re allowed to reload.

Unless playing under the “One Ball” local rule, one can borrow balls from a playing partner or competitor.  A ball not in play is not consider “equipment” so using someone else’s ball(s) is permitted.  Since the PGA Tour uses the “One Ball” rule, Daly would have neede to borrow the same make and model of ball to be safe.