Ruling please.

[Longshot]

?  You have deliberately re-posted what I posted or...?

It was worth repeating. It's clear that a fence falls into the category of an "agency".

[Tin Pot]

It was worth repeating. It's clear that a fence falls into the category of an "agency".

Not clear to me, because an agency would not in normal discourse describe an inanimate object. The examples of outside agencies are of people or their equipment, the examples of 'not outside agency' are wind and rain.  I would place a fence in the latter category logically. An agency would have to have some force or action associated with it, as opposed to an object which would not.

a·gen·cy  (jn-s)
n. pl. a·gen·cies
1. The condition of being in action; operation.
2. The means or mode of acting; instrumentality.
3. A business or service authorized to act for others: an employment agency.
4. An administrative division of a government or international body.

I've taken the first definition of a google search to save time, I would suggest that definitions one and two could apply, but neither could imaginably be used to describe a fence.

But, I'm overstating my case, and the correct ruling has been stated by Stu so I'll drop it.

[Ant]

Not clear to me, because an agency would not in normal discourse describe an inanimate object. The examples of outside agencies are of people or their equipment, the examples of 'not outside agency' are wind and rain.  I would place a fence in the latter category logically. An agency would have to have some force or action associated with it, as opposed to an object which would not.

Using your example I would say a fence is more like equipment than wind or rain.

[Longshot]

Not clear to me, because an agency would not in normal discourse describe an inanimate object. The examples of outside agencies are of people or their equipment, the examples of 'not outside agency' are wind and rain.  I would place a fence in the latter category logically.

So, "logically", a fence is the same as wind or rain? 

[SkankyShanky]

On here
http://www.balibagosocialgolfclub.com/Stakes%20and%20Boundry%20Fences.htm it says:

"A boundary fence is also fixed which means that if your ball ends up near the boundary fence as in Fig 4, the ball must be played as it lies or you could take an unplayable and proceed under rule 28."

Fig 4 shows a ball v. close to the fence (but not touching)

It doesn't say what happens if you hit the fence attempting to make a stroke, but I guess that's just the same as if you hit a tree or post or anything else whilst attempting to make a stroke (i.e. your fault, stroke counts, tough shit)

[Tin Pot]

So, "logically", a fence is the same as wind or rain? 

'is in the same category as' yes, because the two categories described by examples are

1 People and their equipment
2 Everything else unrelated to people and their equipment

I also refer you to the dictionary definition of agency.

[Longshot]

'is in the same category as' yes, because the two categories described by examples are

1 People and their equipment
2 Everything else unrelated to people and their equipment

I also refer you to the dictionary definition of agency.

I'm only yanking your chain Joseph. As you say, Stu put this to rest ages ago.

[Tin Pot]

I'm only yanking your chain Joseph. As you say, Stu put this to rest ages ago.

You can yank my chain, or even ring my bell, any time you like Si.

[Longshot]

You can yank my chain, or even ring my bell, any time you like Si.

 

[golf_bhoy]

Not clear to me, because an agency would not in normal discourse describe an inanimate object. The examples of outside agencies are of people or their equipment, the examples of 'not outside agency' are wind and rain.  I would place a fence in the latter category logically. An agency would have to have some force or action associated with it, as opposed to an object which would not.

I've taken the first definition of a google search to save time, I would suggest that definitions one and two could apply, but neither could imaginably be used to describe a fence.

But, I'm overstating my case, and the correct ruling has been stated by Stu so I'll drop it.

Q. If a player starts his downswing and his clubhead is deflected or stopped by an agency other than himself, e.g. the branch of a tree, is he deemed to have made a stroke?

A. Yes

Tree branch animate or inanimate?  Depends on whether you're a tree hugger I s'pose ...