Rules of Golf explained with John Paramor: My ball is in an animal hole – do I get free relief?
In this Rules of Golf Explained series in association with TaylorMade, NCG’s Steve Carroll is joined by former European Tour chief referee John Paramor to discuss various situations in which you might find yourself on the golf course and how you deal with them within the boundaries of the game’s laws.
In this episode, Steve has hit his golf ball into what he is pretty sure is an animal hole. So is he entitled to relief? John is on hand to explain as well as reminisce about a famous incident involving Seve Ballesteros.
Rules of golf explained: Ball in an animal hole
I’ve got to my golf ball and it’s surrounded by objects. Can I move them? And what happens if I move the ball as well? John is on hand to explain. Watch the video above to see what he has to say.
This Rules of Golf series was filmed in association with TaylorMade at Sunningdale Heath Golf Club.
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Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
