Dear Linda,
Our course has a par 3 with 2 water hazards 10 yards in
front of the tee. There is a dropping zone for both hazards 50 yards nearer the
green on the right hand side. The dropping zone is therefore 40 yards nearer
the green than the entry point to the hazards. Is this legal?
Thanks for a great series.
Regards,
Lou
Dear Lou,
No, Lou, this is not legal. Committees are permitted to
establish Dropping Zones as a Local Rule [Appendix I, Part B, #8], but they may
not be located on a part of the golf course where the Rule would not permit a
player to drop a ball. The relief options for a ball in a water hazard are all
behind the hazard. A Dropping Zone on the green side of a hazard would be in
violation of Rule 26-1b [Decision 33-8/2].
I am aware that a number of golf courses establish Dropping
Zones on the green side of hazards to expedite pace of play. I am familiar with one in
particular where the carry over the hazard is so long that some players might
never make it over from the teeing ground. If you are playing a casual round of
golf with your friends, you may want to abide by the preference of the golf
course management and use the Dropping Zone. However, an illegal Dropping Zone
could not be used in tournament play, and should not be used among serious
golfers who wish to abide by the Rules.
Linda
Copyright © 2013 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
