Hi Linda,
I enjoy very much reading your simple rules, which I get via
Email.
Every time one of these issues happens there is a long
discussion as to what to do. I think my interpretations are correct, but
others say that the person should go back and play the shot again, which of
course is an option, but not the only one and not in my opinion the best option
in these cases. I cannot find such an exact case in the rules but
would like to know because if this happens when the ladies of the LGPA
Tour next play it would be good to be clear on the rules.
Best Wishes,
Lulu from Malaysia
Situation: On
the left of the 4th Green on KLGCC (Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club) East
Course, Malaysia (LGPA plays this course each year), there is a bunker
that stretches from about 10 yards before the green until a few yards, 5
say, after it. To the left of the bunker is a lake marked by red stakes
(lateral hazard) but the sand in the bunker runs into the lake and the red
stakes are placed in the grass before the bunker starts and after the bunker
finishes. As such, a ball landing left of the green can either be in the
sand in the bunker, be in the sand in the hazard as defined by the
line between the two red stakes, or be in the water of the lake.
Question #1: If
the ball goes into the lake, crossing the bunker, where should it be
dropped? The nearest place of crossing the hazard, no nearer the hole, is
in the bunker. The nearest place, no nearer the hole, to the point it crossed the
hazard outside the bunker is either some 10+ yards before the green (i.e.
before where the bunker starts) or 5+ yards after the green (i.e. after where
the bunker finishes). If this happens we drop under penalty either before the
green or after it, whichever is the closest to the hole but not nearer than
where it crossed the hazard. Is this correct? That is, we do not drop in the
bunker.
Answer: Your procedure
is not correct. When a player’s ball lies in a lateral water hazard, one of her
relief options is to drop within two
club-lengths and not nearer the hole than the point where the ball last
crossed the margin of the hazard. If her ball entered the hazard through the
bunker, and the two-club-length relief is in the bunker, she must drop in the
bunker [Decision 26-1/2]. Ten yards in one direction or five in another are
clearly not within two club-lengths. Two
club-lengths are two club-lengths; there is no getting around that. If you
prefer not to drop in the bunker, then choose one of the other relief options
in Rule 26-1.
Question #2: If
the ball is in the bunker near the
edge of water that has overflowed from the hazard, or actually in water but not
in the hazard, what is the rule? Basically, after rain the water line varies
and often comes higher up into the bunker and outside the line between the
red stakes. We play such cases as a free drop due to casual water and drop
within one club-length of the nearest point of relief but in the bunker. Is
this correct?
Answer: Yes. Water that
overflows the lake is not casual water until it passes the margin of the hazard
indicated by the red stakes. If the ball lies on the hazard side of the stakes,
regardless of whether it is sitting in water or on sand, it lies in the hazard
and you must proceed under the water hazard Rule [26-1].
If
your ball lies outside the hazard stakes, it is not in the hazard. You are
entitled to free relief if the ball lies in water outside the hazard (this is
casual water), or casual water interferes with your stance or the area of your intended
swing.
In
order to get free relief, you must drop inside the bunker, at the nearest
relief no closer to the hole. If complete relief is not available, you are
entitled to drop in a part of the bunker no closer to the hole that offers
maximum relief (e.g., where the water is more shallow) [Rule 25-1b (ii)].
Question #3: The
ball is in the bunker very near the edge of the water but dry (i.e., it’s a
bunker shot). To play the ball you have to stand in the water, which is in the
hazard. Is the water in the hazard considered casual water and can you
then take relief in the bunker? I think you can.
Answer: No. Water in the
hazard is in the hazard. It cannot be considered casual water unless it lies
outside the margin of the hazard (past the red stakes). If the only way to hit
a ball that lies in a bunker is to stand in the water hazard, that is where you
must stand. Feel free to remove your socks and shoes!
Lulu, you might skip some of the
long discussions you mentioned if the Committee offered players the option of
one or more Dropping Zones outside the bunker. Please read Decision 33-8/37.5.
Linda
Copyright © 2013 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.