Dear Linda,
I have a question on where to get relief from a fence and
cart path. The split rail fence is not a boundary fence. It just
keeps carts from going on the right side of the cart path, because the hillside
is not friendly to carts. The fence parallels the fairway to the left and rough
and hillside to the right. The fence is on the right side of the cart path.
Ball rolls under the fence, about 12 inches to the right of the cart
path. The cart path is asphalt and 100 inches wide. There is an area of
about 8 inches to the left of the fence where you could get relief from the
fence. That 8-inch area would put your feet on the cart path, so do I move
the ball 124 inches left towards the fairway or right of the fence and
cart path which takes 64 inches from original ball position? I am a
right-handed golfer.
Lou
Dear Lou,
I have drawn the following diagram to help everyone picture
the hole:
Rough and hillside
__________________________________________________
/ / /
/ / / / /
/ / /
/ / /
Fence / /
/ / / / /
/ / /
Cart path
______________________________________________
O Fairway Tee
Green
______________________________________________
I was hoping you would say that you were left-handed. The
relief for a left-handed player for a ball lying to the right of the fence is
very simple. The nearest point of relief (NPR) no closer to the hole would be
further to the right in the rough on the hillside.
The right-handed golfer whose ball lies underneath the fence
will have a more interesting adventure locating the NPR. The key to figuring
this out is to remember that you are taking relief from one problem at a time.
The first problem is the fence, which interferes with your swing. Find the NPR
on the left side of the fence where you can take a full swing with the club you
would ordinarily use to his your next shot. Mark the spot where your ball would
lie, and then measure one club-length from that spot. Disregard the fact that
the spot will be on the cart path for now; remember that you are taking relief
from the fence.
Drop your ball (yes, I know, you will be dropping it on the
cart path). If it rolls back toward the fence and the fence once again
interferes, if it rolls more than two club-lengths from where it first hit the
cart path, or if it rolls closer to the hole, you must re-drop. If the second
drop rolls into any of the problems just mentioned, you will place the ball
where it hit the cart path on your second drop [Rule 20-2c(v), (vi), (vii)].
If the first or second drop was “good,” and there is no
interference from the cart path for your next shot, you’re good to go. However,
if you now have interference from the cart path, you are again entitled to free
relief.
In all likelihood, you will be hitting your next shot from
the fairway. Count your blessings and play on!
Linda
Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
