If, during a PGA tournament, a player chips in and the ball comes to
rest within 3 inches of the hole, then, after 30 seconds a strong gust
of wind blows the ball into the hole, is the ball holed out? Or,
perhaps, an earthquake shakes the ball into the hole. In other words,
does a force of nature favor, or disfavor the player?

Hello knowitall22,

Thank you for your question. 

According to the PGA Rules of Golf:
http://www.golfweb.com/practicetee/rulebook/combined.html

"Rule 16 THE PUTTING GREEN

A player's line of putt must not be touched except when removing loose
impediments or movable obstructions, addressing the ball, measuring,
lifting the ball, pressing a marker or repairing ball marks and hole
plugs.
A ball can be lifted and cleaned, and subsequently replaced to the
position from which it was lifted.

When a player's ball overhangs the hole, the player is allowed time to
reach the hole without reasonable delay and an additional 10 seconds
to ascertain whether the ball is at rest before it is declared at
rest."

So, it seems that 30 seconds later would most likely exceed the
reasonable time allowed for a player to walk to the ball and wait 10
seconds to see if an act of nature or God would hole out the ball for
them.

If, within this reasonable time to walk toward the hole and additional
10 seconds wait, the ball were holed by wind or earthquake. It would
be considered holed out.

The USGA has a slightly different wording which might actually be more
clear:
http://www.golfweb.com/u/ce/multi/pgatour/0,1977,2022419,00.html

"16-2. Ball overhanging hole 

When any part of the ball overhangs the lip of the hole, the player is
allowed enough time to reach the hole without unreasonable delay and
an additional ten seconds to determine whether the ball is at rest.

If by then the ball has not fallen into the hole, it is deemed to be
at rest. If the ball subsequently falls into the hole, the player is
deemed to have holed out with his last stroke, and he shall add a
penalty stroke to his score for the hole; otherwise there is no
penalty under this Rule."


Search Strategy:

PGA rules
Rule 16

I trust my research has provided you with your answer. If a link above
should fail to work or anything require further explanation or
research, please do post a Request for Clarification prior to rating
the answer and closing the question and I will be pleased to assist
further.

Regards,

-=clouseau=-

I am not a golfer, so I can't be sure this is applicable, but I found
this in the PGA rules:

"If your ball is moved by someone or something other than you or your
partner, (an outside agency) there is no penalty, but you must replace
it. If the ball is moved by wind or water, you must play it as it
lies."

http://www.pga.com/Rules/Summary_of_Rules/sec21001.html

For $4.00 you'd think that your answer could be more complete...
Without restating the rules, the ball that is blown into the hole by
the wind would not count as a stroke if the 'chip shot' were from far
enough away that it took you a 'reasonable' amount of time to reach
the ball. In your original question you alot a time of 30 seconds...I
would estimate that if this 'chip shot' were anywhere farther than 30
feet away, than 20 seconds (+10) would not be enough time to get to
the ball to decide whether it has 'come to rest'. Therefore the ball
would be deemed to be in the hole and not count as an extra stroke.

Thank you Pinky and Goomjggle for your comments. I'm forced to think
the scenario I proposed is so unlikely that it borders on bizarre. But
I was curious as to how the ultra serious golf officials would react
to an incredible happening. Luckily for us, we are not professional
golfers, and a quirky circumstance does not determine whether or not
we make thousands of dollars.