Hi Linda,
Some of the greens on our course had a portion within the
green marked as GUR.
Rule 25-1b (iii) (relief from Abnormal Ground Conditions On
the Putting Green) thus comes into effect for a ball that comes to rest in the
GUR on the green.
The Rule contains two terms: “complete relief” and “maximum
available relief.”
While “complete relief” is self-evident, can you explain “maximum
available relief?” With an example please for better understanding.
Thanks
Lou from India
Dear Lou,
The Rules allow a player to seek maximum available relief
from abnormal ground conditions (such as ground under repair) on the putting green. The phrase
“maximum available relief” implies that the condition exists all around the
hole. The player would be unable to find a spot to place the ball where there
would be no interference on his line
of putt. In such a situation, on the putting green, he is entitled to place the ball at the
nearest point to where his ball lay where he will have the least interference
from the condition. That point may not be closer to the hole, and may not be in
a hazard. It may, however, be off the putting green.
The classic example is casual water. If water surrounds the
hole, the player seeking maximum available relief would place the ball where
his putt (or chip) would go through the water where it is most shallow.
Maximum available relief also applies to a ball in a bunker.
When complete relief is not available, the player may drop the ball in the
bunker at the nearest point to where his ball lay that gives him the most
relief from the abnormal ground condition. That point must be in the bunker and
no closer to the hole if the player wants free relief. If no such point exists,
or if the player prefers to drop outside the bunker, he must drop behind the
bunker on the line-of-sight to the hole and add one penalty stroke to his score
[Rule 25-1b (ii)].
The classic example would be a water-filled bunker. The
player may drop the ball where the water is most shallow.
Linda
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