Dear Linda,
Does it matter how close or far away you are from an immovable obstruction when you get relief? On our golf course, there are decorative fences in some gardens (homes adjacent to the course, one foot high and NOT the OB markers). If a ball lands near the fence (within two feet of it) but not touching it does the player get relief? The ball is clearly inbounds.
Thank you very much.
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
You are entitled to free relief only if the decorative fence interferes with your stance or the area of your intended swing [Rule 24-2a]. You should select the club you plan to use for your next shot, take your stance, and see if you have room to swing. If you do, then no relief; if you don’t, then find the nearest spot where you can swing freely and drop a ball within one club-length of that spot.
You may not take an unnatural stance when you are trying to determine your ability to swing. For example, if your next shot would be in a forward direction, you can’t stand sideways and complain that your backswing will contact the fence. On the other hand if a tree is blocking a forward shot, and your only shot would have to go sideways, if the fence interferes with your backswing you are entitled to free relief. It is possible that after you drop your ball the tree will no longer block your forward progress. That is what is known in the trade as “good luck.”
Linda
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
