Ask Linda #49-Relief from OB wall

Dear Linda,
I read on your blog that there is no free relief from an out of bounds wall [Rules #3-Relief Options, March 16]. OB walls are man-made, just like things you do get free relief from (water fountains, pump houses, etc.). I’m going to have a hard time convincing my buddies to add a penalty stroke when they drop away from an OB fence. Why can’t you get free relief from them?
Lou Lou

Dear Lou Lou,

Constructions that define out of bounds, such as walls, fences, or stakes, are not obstructions; the rule book defines them as being “fixed,” and there is no free relief from fixed objects.

Let’s take out a moment and review the parts of the definitions of obstructions and out of bounds in Section II of the USGA rule book that relate to your question. “Obstructions” are defined as “anything artificial…EXCEPT objects defining out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings.” The definition of “Out of Bounds” states that “objects defining out of bounds…are not obstructions and are deemed to be fixed.”

While you are entitled to free relief from obstructions [see Rules #2-Relief Options, posted on March 7], there is no free relief from objects that are fixed. If you are unable to hit your ball because of interference from a fixed object (and constructions that define out of bounds come under that heading), you will have to declare the ball unplayable and follow the procedures I outlined on March 16 under Rules #3 (Unplayable Ball).

If a player mistakenly identifies an OB construction as an obstruction and lifts and drops his ball at the nearest point of relief (NPR), here is how he is penalized and how he should proceed:

1. He is assessed a one-stroke penalty for moving his ball (Rule 18-2a), and must replace the ball before he plays his next shot. After replacing it, if he decides to declare it unplayable, he will have to add an additional one-stroke penalty under Rule 28 (Ball Unplayable) when he chooses one of the options provided by that rule.
2. If he hits that ball that he dropped under the inapplicable rule (Rule 24-2, Immovable Obstructions, is not the correct rule for this situation), he loses the hole in match play or is assessed two penalty strokes in stroke play.

If you explain to your buddies that OB walls, fences, etc., are NOT obstructions, and that it will cost them TWO strokes instead of one for proceeding incorrectly, that might give them pause for thought. If you carry a 2008 rule book (and everyone should), then the definitions I referred to are on pages 13 and 14; you might want to highlight the sentences referring to objects defining out of bounds being fixed (page 14, definition of Out of Bounds, last paragraph before first Note), and not being obstructions (page 13, definition of Obstructions, first paragraph plus sub-section “a”).

Lou, if this happens in a tournament, and your fellow competitor still disputes your assertion that he is not entitled to free relief, then you might suggest to him that he play two balls under Rule 3-3 (Doubt as to Procedure) and resolve the matter with the tournament officials at the table where you turn in your score card PRIOR to signing it. Playing two balls (one his way, one according to the rules) will save him from an additional penalty stroke and possible disqualification – he will be grateful, in retrospect, for your wise advice.

I will explain Rule 3-3, which I call the “ounce of prevention rule,” in a future column.

Linda

Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.