Rules question · Rule 11.1b · Hard
Putt deflected by a beetle: can I replay it?
Your putt is rolling straight at the hole, hits a beetle on the putting green and rolls past the hole. May you replay the putt?
Answer
No, you play the ball from where it comes to rest
Beetles, worms and other small animals that can be removed easily are loose impediments. If one of them deflects your putt, you play the ball as it lies. A putt is only replayed if it hits another kind of animal on the putting green, such as a dog. Before the putt you could have removed the beetle from your line of play without penalty.