Dear Linda,
I was playing a course recently where there was a stone wall down the left of a fairway with a metal fence attached above it (to stop balls hitting a public footpath beyond). The local rules state that a ball is out of bounds when it is OVER the fence. The wall has a gap in it half way along which is a large metal gate with a metal fence above it (for access by greenkeeper’s machinery). This gate is normally closed.
Although not listed in the Immovable Obstructions section of the scorecard, the members deem the wall to be an immovable obstruction (and therefore get relief) but if the ball ends up against the metal gate, they do NOT get relief and have to play the ball as it lies or deem it unplayable.
It is impossible at any point along the wall for a ball to be over the wall and NOT over the fence, although a ball could come to rest on top of the wall against the fence.
In equity, shouldn't the stone wall be considered to be an extension of the out-of-bounds fence at ground level and therefore the same rule would apply as to the gate (i.e., play the ball as it lies or deem it unplayable) or can a Committee deem such a wall an immovable obstruction should they so wish ?
Thanks,
Lou Lou
Dear Lou Lou,
A committee is not entitled to make a Local Rule that waives a Rule of Golf. I gather, from your narrative, that the stone wall defines out of bounds. Objects that define out of bounds are not obstructions; they are what the rules call “fixed.” There is no free relief from fixed objects. If the player decides that he cannot play his ball because of interference from a stone wall marking out of bounds, he must proceed under the options provided for an unplayable ball, all of which include a one-stroke penalty.
It is not permissible to declare an out-of-bounds wall to be an immovable obstruction. The wall and the gate are both objects defining out of bounds; they are both fixed [Definition of Out of Bounds], and should be treated the same. There is no free relief from the wall or the gate. The golf course should discuss the matter with the USGA and correct the information on the score card.
Linda
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