Leaf blowers for fall golf

[Medfloat]

A few minutes ago I was commenting on a post by @rkj427 about leaves changing colors and falling at the course.  I mentioned wanting to buy a battery operated leaf blower to use during fall golf cuz you kknow how we ALLL just LOVE leaves on the course and looking for our balls.  Then we get to the green and there are heilopters on the green, leaves, acorns and all the other good flora to help out putts roll off line.  This got me thinking, is using a leaf blower on the course and/or greens as a player even legal?  Which leaf blower would you get?  Which is the quietist? 

[BillyEnforcee]

1. Legal? Like Music on the course, if it's not obnoxious and your group likes it or finds use for it, Go for it!

2. I'm guessing louder=most effective.

3. I'm playing in a fundraising tournament tomorrow and the greens today had leaves all over them... I think my Milwaukee M18 could find some use!

[Rob Person]

For casual golf, why not?  Is it golf rules legal? Probably not. Other things to consider is how it may affect others, and also how it affects pace.

Don't go out there with the tornado guster 3000, but any midsize one with a 16-24" nose should be fine.

O know I'd appreciate it if someone had cleared the green for me!  Ha!

[BillyEnforcee]

2 hours ago, Rob Person said:

Don't go out there with the tornado guster 3000

Lol, I have the 2000. Wife won't let me upgrade to the 3.

[DaveP043]

12 hours ago, Medfloat said:

This got me thinking, is using a leaf blower on the course and/or greens as a player even legal?

From Rule 7.1, about searching:

"In trying to find and identify the ball, the player may remove loose impediments as allowed in Rule 15.1 "

From Rule 15.1, about Loose Impediments (unattached leaves are Loose Impediments)

"Without penalty, a player may remove a loose impediment anywhere on or off the course, and may do so in any way (such as by using a hand or foot, using a club or other equipment, getting help from others or breaking off part of a loose impediment)"

"In any way" means that leaf blowers are acceptable.  However, be careful in removing leaves once you've found your ball, if you ball moves you get one Penalty Stroke.

Edited September 21 by DaveP043

[Medfloat]

6 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

From Rule 7.1, about searching:

"In trying to find and identify the ball, the player may remove loose impediments as allowed in Rule 15.1 "

From Rule 15.1, about Loose Impediments (unattached leaves are Loose Impediments)

"Without penalty, a player may remove a loose impediment anywhere on or off the course, and may do so in any way (such as by using a hand or foot, using a club or other equipment, getting help from others or breaking off part of a loose impediment)"

"In any way" means that leaf blowers are acceptable.  However, be careful in removing leaves once you've found your ball, if you ball moves you get one Penalty Stroke.

Great find!  This just shows how knowing the rules can work in one's favor.  Off to the internet to find the bestest, cheapest battery leaf blower out there!

[Off Map Oscar]

I use a dewalt as soon as the leaves get bad. But I saw this the other day... interesting. 

 

ZoomBroom Breeze - Lightweight Cordless Stick Blower for Home, Patios, Condos, Golf Course, Pickleball Court, RV and All of Your Outdoor Activities https://a.co/d/8RVNMPa

[Rob Person]

2 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

From Rule 7.1, about searching:

"In trying to find and identify the ball, the player may remove loose impediments as allowed in Rule 15.1 "

From Rule 15.1, about Loose Impediments (unattached leaves are Loose Impediments)

"Without penalty, a player may remove a loose impediment anywhere on or off the course, and may do so in any way (such as by using a hand or foot, using a club or other equipment, getting help from others or breaking off part of a loose impediment)"

"In any way" means that leaf blowers are acceptable.  However, be careful in removing leaves once you've found your ball, if you ball moves you get one Penalty Stroke.

Brilliant!

[DaveP043]

1 hour ago, Rob Person said:

Brilliant!

Nah, just a little study.  Notice I posted the actual rule numbers.  I recommend that folks go look them up and read for themselves.  First, there's a bit more to each rule, but more important, you might start to learn to use the rules on your own.  The phone app is really easy to use.

[Bossfan]

We always talk about it but haven’t done it yet.

[Fiveslow]

It may save some time too. Instead of slapping the leaves around with your towel just blow off the green in seconds. 

[Tom the Golf Nut]

One of the reasons I get the first tee time. I’m right behind the grounds crew and the leaves and pine needles are gone, greens are mowed and rolled. It feels like they are doing it all just for me. Best conditions of the day. 
But if I didn’t walk putting my cordless in the cart basket would be a great idea. 

I used to keep a Phillips screwdriver in my bag while in TN. Hard clay soil. I pre made the hole for the tee on the tee box with it.

[sirchunksalot]

9 minutes ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

One of the reasons I get the first tee time. I’m right behind the grounds crew and the leaves and pine needles are gone, greens are mowed and rolled. It feels like they are doing it all just for me. Best conditions of the day. 
But if I didn’t walk putting my cordless in the cart basket would be a great idea. 

I used to keep a Phillips screwdriver in my bag while in TN. Hard clay soil. I pre made the hole for the tee on the tee box with it.

I need to remember to put a screwdriver in my bag with how dry it's been down here lately. I feel like I almost have to stand on a tee in order to get one in. 

[Medfloat]

8 hours ago, Off Map Oscar said:

I use a dewalt as soon as the leaves get bad. But I saw this the other day... interesting. 

 

ZoomBroom Breeze - Lightweight Cordless Stick Blower for Home, Patios, Condos, Golf Course, Pickleball Court, RV and All of Your Outdoor Activities https://a.co/d/8RVNMPa

I will be researching that breeze stick tomorrow for sure, thanks

[Tom the Golf Nut]

9 hours ago, Off Map Oscar said:

I use a dewalt as soon as the leaves get bad. But I saw this the other day... interesting. 

 

ZoomBroom Breeze - Lightweight Cordless Stick Blower for Home, Patios, Condos, Golf Course, Pickleball Court, RV and All of Your Outdoor Activities https://a.co/d/8RVNMPa

I like that it will fit in your golf bag. I’m just wondering if 75 mph wind speed is enough. The normal battery blowers are blowing at 120 mph. With 500 CFM.

[mynerds]

16 hours ago, sirchunksalot said:

I need to remember to put a screwdriver in my bag with how dry it's been down here lately. I feel like I almost have to stand on a tee in order to get one in. 

Automotive picks work well in REALLY dry / clay conditions too. It also has the added bonus of not collecting dirt in the screwdriver tip (if you're a Phillips kind of guy) AND you don't have to remember to take the screwdriver out of the bag when doing house work later.

[Tom the Golf Nut]

1 hour ago, mynerds said:

Automotive picks work well in REALLY dry / clay conditions too. It also has the added bonus of not collecting dirt in the screwdriver tip (if you're a Phillips kind of guy) AND you don't have to remember to take the screwdriver out of the bag when doing house work later.

I found the picks, carpenters awl, or even an ice pick to be too sharp. It either poked a hole in my golf bag or my finger when digging for it. Plus I have many screwdrivers. The one in the bag stayed in the bag.

[Dweed]

I use a Ryobi blower, 18V. Lt wt and one bat lasts at least a full 50 min of continuous blasting. more than enough for a round, as long as the leaves are not wet and sticking to the grass.