Dear Linda,
Our league has adopted a local rule that allows for free relief from pampas grass, which can be found running along our fairways, as well as in the rough, and in our waste bunkers. We adopted this rule because of the danger of snakes, who make their home in these grasses. As rules chairperson, I would like to know how to direct our members to take relief from the grass. Because of the size of the grasses, the ball will often be "lost" in the grass. If the foursome agrees that the ball entered and stayed in the grass, then the golfer is granted free relief. If the ball is lost in the grass, where would the point of free relief be granted? Thanks for your insight. Any suggestions would be welcomed!
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
It is not permissible to establish a Local Rule providing free relief from a potentially dangerous situation. Otherwise, you might be tempted to declare danger anywhere. Even though there might be bears in those woods, alligators in the swamp, or snakes in the grass, players are not entitled to a “Get out of jail free” card for potential problems.
Decision 1-4/10, which provides for free relief from a dangerous situation, presumes that you have both found your ball and actually observed the danger (e.g., live rattlesnake, bees’ nest).
Here are possible situations and the options available for a ball that lodges in the snake-infested pampas grass:
1. A player who does not find her ball, or chooses not to enter the area to search for it, must declare the ball “lost” and proceed under Rule 27 (Lost Ball).
2. A player who finds her ball and chooses not to play it may declare it “unplayable” and proceed under one of the options in Rule 28 (Unplayable Ball).
3. A player who finds her ball lying near a dangerous snake is entitled to drop a ball without penalty on the nearest spot no closer to the hole that is safely away from the snake [Decision 1-4/10].
Golf committees should take note that any Local Rule they wish to impose must be consistent with the Local Rules that appear in Appendix I of the rule book [Rule 33-8]. If they wish to enact a Local Rule that does not conform to the rules in the appendix or that modifies a golf rule, then they must contact the USGA for official authorization.
Linda
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