Does anyone know if there is anything in the rules dictating relief due to intentional distractions?
Example : I play some courses that may have a hole or two that play alongside public roads. There are many times when passing cars will intentionally honk their horns or scream out the window in your back swing. This is obviously an outside agency intending to interfere with your concentration. Should a player be allowed to hit another shot? The human mind is conditioned to focus on sudden sounds, especially something like a car honking (imminent danger). Also, there is clear intent to distract you.
I agree, we should all be able to play with background noise like birds, traffic, music, people talking. But I also think sudden noises generated to startle a person are a different issue altogether.
Thoughts?
Example : I play some courses that may have a hole or two that play alongside public roads. There are many times when passing cars will intentionally honk their horns or scream out the window in your back swing. This is obviously an outside agency intending to interfere with your concentration. Should a player be allowed to hit another shot? The human mind is conditioned to focus on sudden sounds, especially something like a car honking (imminent danger). Also, there is clear intent to distract you.
I agree, we should all be able to play with background noise like birds, traffic, music, people talking. But I also think sudden noises generated to startle a person are a different issue altogether.
Thoughts?