Rules Question - and I've checked the Decisions already...

[Cols_Ears]

Right then rules experts...

Had a strange one today when playing in the stableford. Was playing the 17th, and caught one a bit low off the face, sending it straight forward but scaring the worms. It then struck the metal upright of the post holding the rope keeping people away from the back of the 16th green, the ball was deflected 90 degrees to the left into the thick rough never to be seen again. I have to say this was a new one to me - never seen it happen or heard of it happening before.
One of the guys I was playing with immediately suggested that as the path of the ball was deflected by a Temporary Immovable (as defined by the committee) Obstruction the shot should be replayed without penalty. I was unsure on the rule so completed the hole with the second ball, as the first was lost, in either 6 if the shot should have been replayed or 8 if it should just have been treated as "ball played as it lies".

There was no consensus in the clubhouse (despite asking lots of experienced golfers and the club chairman) and I couldn't find anything on the rules app. So entered it as an 8.

Asked the Pro this eveing and he reckon's it's play the ball as it lies, so 8 is correct, but I'm still waiting to understand why...

[Dick in Shorts]

I don’t think you get any help from the rules if you hit a TIO.

It’s a bit like the pros hitting a camera post or grandstand - think McDowell hitting the grandstand behind a green and ending up very close to the hole.

The fact you lost the ball is unfortunate but if it hadn’t been lost you would have played it as it lies.

Nb - this is based on the fact that a TIO is treated the same as an IO

[Blofeld]

Whilst there may be a local rule in place allowing relief from either line of site interference or interference with the stroke by a TIO, in all other respects the TIO is treated just like any other artificial object or obstruction.

I would say that Rule 11.1 covers your situation. 11.1b specifically refers to a ball in motion hitting an outside influence (and in the definitions an "outside influence" includes any natural or artificial object...and your TIO is artificial.....its temporary status does not change this...it is just like hitting any other obstruction)

https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/rules-of-golf/rule-11.html

[Cols_Ears]

Thanks Gents - I had come to the same conclusion myself yesterday about 11.1b, but then the Club Chairman said he thought it should be replayed (similar to when you hit a powerline) as it wasn't a permanent piece of course equipment (such as a tee block or marker post) it seemed unfair to be penalised for hitting such a perfect stinger