Hi Linda,
I was watching the Golf Channel coverage of the Chevron World Challenge this afternoon. On the 18th hole, Martin Laird hit his tee shot onto an adjoining fairway that was right of the 18th hole. The leaderboard next to the green was in his line-of-sight so he was granted relief and was able to drop on the other side of the fairway in the first cut of rough. After deliberating, he then decided to lay up and not play a shot towards the green. Since the leaderboard was no longer in his way, did he play from the wrong place? Should he have returned to the spot where his tee shot laid before getting relief?
Thank you.
Lou
Dear Lou,
When there are temporary immovable obstructions (TIO’s), such as leaderboards, TV towers, viewing stands, etc., on the course, the Committee should adopt a Local Rule to provide relief. Under this Local Rule, the player is permitted to drop his ball within one club-length of the nearest point that is not closer to the hole, avoids interference, and is not in a hazard or on a putting green.
Interference from a TIO is defined differently from interference from an immovable obstruction (IO). Players are entitled to free relief from both TIO’s and IO’s if the obstruction interferes with the player’s stance or the area of his intended swing. In addition, in the case of interference from TIO’s only, players are entitled to relief if the TIO interferes directly between the player’s ball and the hole (what you are calling “line-of-sight” to the hole) and on his line of play.
From your narrative, I gather that the leaderboard stood between Martin Laird’s ball and the green. As such, he was entitled to a free drop. The officials determined the correct point for his drop. Once the player drops the ball properly, it is in play. He may now hit the ball in any direction he chooses. The Rules cannot require you to hit a particular shot in a specified direction after you have taken free relief to which you were entitled.
Readers, please do not confuse temporary immovable obstructions with immovable obstructions. Most golfers rarely encounter interference from TIO’s, so they will rarely be entitled to relief on the line-of-sight or on their line of play to the hole. Relief from IO’s, such as water fountains or storage sheds, only allows for relief for interference with your stance or swing. If the IO intervenes on your line of play or sight after you take your proper relief, that’s life on the golf course.
Linda
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