Rules Question

[AoxomxoA]

Yesterday I hit a drive at a course with lots of houses kinda close to play. It kicked right off a mound and came to rest on a very small channel of bare dirt that is a good 2-3 inches below the 2nd cut rough along the homeowner's metal fence installed in the dirt channel. White stakes forward and behind my ball showed the ball not to be in the 'OB' of the backyard, all in the group agreed.

However proximity to his metal fence made any sort of swing unsafe.

Question is relief available and how from this situation?

Allen

 

[cpljohnst]

From my understanding if the obstruction itself is OB then no relief is available. Would need to declare unplayable and take a drop with penalty.

 

[ForeOnFour]

I'm no expert but I think this rule would be enacted in this situation:


The player may deem his ball unplayable at any place on the course, except when the ball is in a water hazard. The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable.


If the player deems his ball to be unplayable, he must, under penalty of one stroke:

a. Proceed under the stroke and distance provision of Rule 27-1 by playing a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or


b. Drop a ball behind the point where the ball lay, keeping that point directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind that point the ball may be dropped; or


c. Drop a ball within two club-lengths of the spot where the ball lay, but not nearer the hole.


If the unplayable ball is in a bunker, the player may proceed under Clause a, b or c. If he elects to proceed under Clause b or c, a ball must be dropped in the bunker.


When proceeding under this Rule, the player may lift and clean his ball or substitute a ball.

 

[Smallville]

My guess is no. I don't think a fence is an obstruction. And I don't think you can get relief from something that is out of bounds (and it sounds like the fence is clearly out of bounds). So I would say chip out if you can, or take an unplayable.

 

[emart2173]

Looks like everyone has it it on the head with their explanation

 

[Boom_Boom]

I think the official rule is:

"The player may utilize, at will, his foot wedge, as long as his playing partners are not watching."

 

[mikeg_74]

From my understanding if the obstruction itself is OB then no relief is available. Would need to declare unplayable and take a drop with penalty.

This is how I understand it as well.

 

[AoxomxoA]

Thank you all for the answers!

 

[Smallville]

I think the official rule is:

"The player may utilize, at will, his foot wedge, as long as his playing partners are not watching."

Well, if you're talking OFFICIAL rules then yes, this is correct. Haha

 

[Tedfroop]

From my understanding if the obstruction itself is OB then no relief is available. Would need to declare unplayable and take a drop with penalty.

Exactly. Out of bounds is defined by the inside edge of a line defined by stakes or paint and all of the ball needs to be across the line for it to be out. You can declare the ball unplayable anywhere on the course.

 

[Smallville]

Exactly. Out of bounds is defined by the inside edge of a line defined by stakes or paint and all of the ball needs to be across the line for it to be out. You can declare the ball unplayable anywhere on the course.

Except in a water hazard.

 

[Golf 'N Gator]

From my understanding if the obstruction itself is OB then no relief is available. Would need to declare unplayable and take a drop with penalty.

Agree.

 

[Tedfroop]

Except in a water hazard.

Thank you sir.