Hi Linda,
On our first hole and 18th holes there are cement drainage
ditches on both sides of the fairway in the woods. To save time the course has
declared the woods lateral hazards. My ball rolled into one of the drainage
ditches. My swing is interfered with. Do I get relief? Or because the ditch is
in a hazard I'm out of luck and have to accept the penalty and take the two-club-length
relief. Thanks.
Lou from Florida
Dear Lou,
Players are not entitled to relief from an immovable
obstruction in a water hazard or lateral water hazard [Rule 24-2b, Note 1]. If
you cannot play the ball as it lies, your relief options are those for a ball
in a lateral water hazard. All of those options come with a penalty stroke to
add to your score [Rule 26-1].
I am aware that courses have been known to mark woods as
lateral hazards in the interest of pace of play (ostensibly to save players the
trip back to where they last hit their original ball if it is now lost). I am
also aware that woods are not lateral hazards, and that courses are not
permitted to mark woods as lateral hazards [Decision 33-8/35].
There is an inherent danger in making up your own rules. Marking
the woods as a lateral hazard takes away the golfer’s right to free relief from
an immovable obstruction. Players looking to save time should hit a provisional
ball for a ball that might be lost in the woods. Pace of play is improved by
hitting a provisional ball, not by mislabeling the woods. Perhaps the course
might be encouraged to remove the hazard stakes and install a sign on the tee
encouraging players to hit a provisional ball if their shot has entered the woods.
Linda
Copyright © 2014 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
