Hi Linda,
This is what Rule 25-1b (iii) states [for relief from ground
under repair]:
“On the Putting Green: If the ball lies on the putting green,
the player must lift the ball and place it, without penalty, at the nearest point
of relief that is not in a hazard,
or if complete relief is impossible, at the nearest position to where it lay
that affords maximum available relief from the condition, but not nearer
the hole and
not in a hazard.
The nearest point
of relief or maximum available relief may be off the putting green.”
Some of the greens on our course had half the greens marked
as "ground under repair" and thus, if the ball came to rest in the
GUR, relief from abnormal conditions was permissible. The GUR part of
the greens have been treated with a thin layer of sand which slightly impedes
the roll of the ball.
The query is this: Is it allowed to place the ball anywhere
on the green provided it is not nearer the hole, ignoring the nearest point of
relief clause?
Look forward for a clarification.
Thanks,
Lou from India
Dear Lou,
No, Lou. You may not ignore the directive to place the ball
at the nearest point of relief. Should that point be off the green in the
rough, that is where you must place the ball [Decision 25-1b/10].
While free relief is available from this GUR, it does not appear,
from your narrative, that it is required. You may prefer a putt with a slightly
impeded roll to a chip from off the green. Weigh your options carefully.
Linda
Follow-up question from Lou:
My answer:
Follow-up question from Lou:
Thanks Linda. However, my understanding is that if a ball
comes to rest in GUR, relief has to be taken as it is prohibited to play from
GUR.
Lou, when the Rules say "may," they do not mean
"must." Rule 25-1b states that "a player may take relief;"
it does not say he must take relief.
A player must
take relief from GUR when the Committee or a Local Rule specifies that play is
prohibited from GUR. This prohibition is often in effect for fragile areas such
as flower beds, freshly-seeded areas, and newly-planted saplings.
If there is no Local Rule stating that you may not hit out
of GUR, it is your choice whether to play the ball as it lies in the GUR or
take free relief.
If you look in the front of the rulebook, right after
"Principal Changes" there is a section called "How to Use the
Rule Book." In this section you will see a sub-section entitled
"Understand the Words." There you will learn that "may"
means "optional," and "must" means a required procedure
that is penalized if you don't do it. Relief from GUR is always optional unless
the course or the Committee has imposed a Local Rule prohibiting play from GUR.
Linda
Copyright © 2014 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
The reader's response:
Thanks for the clarification Linda! The Rules Book needs
constant re-reading.