Hi Linda–
Thank you for all the help you have given me in the past.
At our course, snapping turtles have a habit of laying eggs
in bunkers along with other sandy areas around the course.
If my ball is near a snapping turtle, am I entitled to
relief? I would assume the turtle would be considered a danger, but I think a
protective goose can also present a danger and I don't believe we are entitled
to relief from a goose.
I've also been told we cannot get free relief if our ball is
in poison ivy which I consider to be a danger. Sorry if I've rambled here and
possibly combined two or three questions, but I would appreciate your
help.
Thanks,
Lou
Dear Lou,
You get free relief from truly dangerous critters, Lou.
Rattlesnakes and bees' nests meet that designation; turtles and geese do not
[Decision 1-4/10].
Snappers will not attack you if you do not provoke them.
They will most likely ignore or back away from a player taking a sand shot in
their vicinity. If it becomes necessary to move a snapper, here are two
possible methods:
1. Grab the rake and encourage the turtle to bite it. You
can then pull the turtle away from your ball.
2. Come around behind the turtle and grab its tail (don’t lift it by the tail – this will
injure the turtle’s spine). While holding the tail, slip your other hand under
its shell and carry it to safety. [This method is not for the faint of heart.]
You do get free relief from the turtle’s eggs if you cannot hit the ball without
damaging the eggs. You will look for the nearest point of relief no closer to
the hole and drop within one club-length of that spot [Decision 1-4/9].
If you notice a turtle laying her eggs, please make note of
the spot and encourage your golf course management to mark that spot with a
flag. Turtles cover their eggs, and golfers might not see them until it’s too
late.
Poison Ivy: There
is no free relief from poison ivy. Poison ivy is a common occurrence on a golf
course. While it may be unpleasant, it is not dangerous in the same way a
rattlesnake, a bees’ nest, or a crocodile would be [Decision 1-4/11].
If you prefer not to play the ball as it lies near the
turtle or in the poison ivy, you may declare it unplayable and proceed under
one of the options in Rule 28 (Ball Unplayable).
Please remember that golf is a game. Don’t be a hero if
nothing important is at stake.
Linda
Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
