Tag: Gareth Bale

Categories
Rules

DP World Tour: Dog Steals Gareth Bale’s Golf Ball from the Green

Gareth Bale's ball was stolen by a dog at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. (Photo: Getty)
Gareth Bale's ball was stolen by a dog at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. (Photo: Getty)

Gareth Bale experienced a little furry disturbance at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. On Saturday, on his third round together with Daniel Brown at the DP World Tour Pro-Am tournament, Bale was chipping his ball onto a green on the Carnoustie Golf Links when a small enthusiastic four-legged friend came running up, grabbed the ball and then ran off with it towards the spectators.

Rules of golf: When an animal moves the ball

Whilst this only happens now and again at professional tournaments, there are plenty of animals on local golf courses that could become too interested in the small white balls. So what should you do in this case? The video shows that the ball stops on the green just before the dog reaches the ball and removes it from its spot. The rules situation is therefore simple. According to Rule 9.6, the ball is simply returned to the place from which it was removed. If it is not quite certain where the ball was, the location is simply estimated.

The rule text reads as follows:

“If it is known or virtually certain that an outside influence (including another player in stroke play or another ball) lifted or moved a player’s ball at rest:
– There is no penalty, and
– The ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated).“

But what happens if the ball is picked up by an animal while it is still moving? This case is clarified in the clarifications to Rule 11.1b. The ball is then considered to have ‘come to rest on the animal’ and the player must claim penalty-free relief from the point at which the animal picked up the ball.

“If an animal picks up a ball in motion, the ball has come to rest on the animal and free relief must be taken using the point where the animal picked up the ball as the reference point.

For example, a ball played from the fairway is picked up by a dog while it is still in motion. The ball has come to rest on the animal at the point where the dog picked up the ball.
– If the ball was picked up on the fairway, a ball must be dropped within one club-length of and no nearer the hole than the point where the ball was picked up by the dog in the general area.
– If the ball was picked up on the putting green, a ball must be placed on the putting green on the estimated spot where the ball was picked up.”

Categories
Panorama

Football star Gareth Bale becomes golf ambassador for R&A

Gareth Bale is the new ambassador for the Golf Association R&A. (Photo: Getty)
Gareth Bale is the new ambassador for the Golf Association R&A. (Photo: Getty)

Gareth Bale is considered a superstar in professional football. The Welshman has amassed up to 100 million followers on his social media platforms through his successes at Real Madrid. The 32-year-old has also been playing golf himself for several years and now has an impressive 2 handicap. Now Bale’s affinity for golf is to be used to spread the sport further internationally.

R&A wants to expand the target group for golf

Bale wants to use his passion for golf for a partnership with the British Golf Association R&A, which organises the Open every year, to inspire more people to play golf and to reduce possible barriers to entry. In addition to Bale, Irish songwriter Niall Horan and golf management company “Modest!Golf” are also working with the R&A, which was founded in 2004. “We want to reach new audiences who are not yet aware of the many benefits of golf, including health and wellbeing,” explains Phil Anderton, R&A’s Chief Development Officer. Moreover, he firmly believes that this could improve golf’s reputation among millions of followers.


Welshman Gareth Bale has long been known for his enthusiasm for golf. In the past, Bale supported the European Tour at a golf tournament in his home country and often appeared on the golf course on social media. His boyhood club Tottenham Hotspurs even had short golf holes built for Bale at their training facility. “Gareth’s passion for golf is there for everyone to see and he will play an influential role in supporting the new golf initiatives,” Anderton said regarding the partnership with Bale.

Gareth Bale’s golf affinity draws criticism

Gareth Bale’s enthusiasm for golf, however, is far from pleasing all of his millions of followers. With the Welshman barely performing at Real Madrid in recent months, many followers are critical of his golf affinity. “Wales.Golf.Real Madrid. In order” was written on a flag Gareth Bale used to celebrate after scoring a goal for the Welsh national team. Bale faced a lot of criticism for this action and has since been ridiculed by many of his supporters when he shows up on the golf course. Accordingly, the partnership with R&A did not go down well with everyone either. For example, Bale was called a “golfer who plays football now and then” or asked whether he had been playing golf during Real Madrid’s defeat. However, some people are open to this partnership and are looking forward to the upcoming projects.