Linda, when a golf ball touches a water hazard stake is it
in the hazard?
Answer: Yes. Please
read the Definition of "Water Hazard."
How about when a ball touches an OB stake? I guess it is in
bounds, but may I take relief from this stake?
Answer: The ball is
in-bounds (assuming it is touching the side of the stake that faces the golf
course). There is no free relief from the stake. Please read the Definition of
"Out of Bounds."
Lou had two follow-up
questions:
Linda,
A ball is considered to be in a water hazard when it touches
the stake, even if it is touching it from its inner side? I mean it's on the
course side.
If your answer is yes, may the player in this situation
remove the stake to make his shot?
If your answer is yes... The ball will not be touching the
stake anymore... so I get confused.
I asked you the question related to the OB stake because I
heard one player was in this situation and considering he was in bounds and did
not get relief, hit his ball and broke the white stake.
For me it is weird to have the right to make a shot putting
yourself in a dangerous situation (get hurt) or even let you have the
possibility to break an OB stake when you hit a shot.
As you may see I love golf rules. I passed the online exam
Level I of the R&A with an 87/100, but in my country is difficult to go on
and take the Level II.
Best regards,
Lou from Argentina
Dear Lou,
Please read the
Definition of “Water Hazard.” It will tell you that when the margin is defined
by stakes, the stakes are considered to be in the water hazard. It goes
on to say that "a ball is in a water hazard when it lies in or any part of
it touches the water hazard."
Therefore, a ball touching a water hazard stake is in the
hazard.
The Definition also tells you that hazard stakes are
obstructions, so you must now read Rule 24, which talks about Obstructions. If
the stake is movable, you may pull it out. If your ball moves, you must replace
it [Rule 24-1]. The ball is still deemed to be in the hazard, so you may not
ground your club when you address the ball, unless the club can be grounded completely outside the hazard.
If the stake is immovable (most hazard stakes are either
immovable or deemed immovable, since most courses do not want players pulling
them out), the player is not entitled to relief [Rule 24-2b, Note 1]. He must
play the ball as it lies or proceed under one of the relief options in Rule
26-1 (Relief for Ball in Water Hazard).
Regarding the OB stakes, you will find the answer to your
question in the Definition of “Out of Bounds.” It will tell you that stakes
that define OB are not obstructions and are deemed to be fixed.
There is no free relief from an OB stake (or fence, wall, railing, etc.). If
the stake interferes with your swing, you must proceed under one of the options
in Rule 28 for an unplayable ball, all of which include a one-stroke penalty.
There are other situations on a golf course where you may
put yourself in danger trying to hit a ball (e.g., your ball lies in the roots
of a tree, a tree branch or trunk interferes with your swing, etc.). This is
not unusual. The golfer must decide whether to risk injury or declare his ball “unplayable.”
I'm happy to hear that you are interested in the Rules. I
would suggest you read the rulebook very carefully (paying particular attention
to the Definitions), and that you also purchase a Decisions book and read a
section every day (it will take a month or so to read this book). The Decisions
book will answer just about any question you have ever had about the Rules of
Golf, and will help you ace your next exam.
Linda
Copyright © 2014 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.