Monday, October 20, 2014

Ask Linda #935-Drop from lateral hazard onto putting green

Buenos Días Linda,
I have become addicted to your emails, please keep them coming!
I play most of my golf in Andalucia, Spain. The 13th, Par 5, ends with the green against a lake, red stakes lateral water hazard.
I always thought that when taking relief from a water hazard it was prohibited to drop on the putting green, but found that players do. Dropping two club-lengths from where the ball crossed, no nearer the hole, will in most occasions leave you with no where else to go – the green apron is about two feet wide, there is no more terrain between it and the red line at the back.

Throughout Rule 26-1 failed to find anything that prohibits the drop on the putting green. Does that mean that maybe it is correct to do it?

I will very much appreciate it if you could clear it.

Thank you
Lou from Spain

Buenos días Lou,

This is a prime example of how a careful reading of the Rules can help you in your play.

When you choose the two-club-length relief option for a lateral water hazard, you may drop on the green (assuming there is a spot on the green within two club-lengths of the hazard margin that is no closer to the hole). Rule 26-1c does not prohibit a drop on the green.

The same holds true for taking relief from an unplayable lie. Rule 28c, which is the two-club-length relief option, does not specify where the player may drop the ball (except for a ball in a bunker). Dropping on the green may very well be an option.

On the other hand, Rules such as 24-2b (Relief from an Immovable Obstruction) and 25-1b (Relief from Abnormal Ground Conditions) specifically prohibit the player from dropping in a hazard or on a putting green (unless that was the original location of the ball).

When the Rules put restrictions on where you may drop a ball, they will tell you. If you see no restrictions regarding terrain, you may drop anywhere on the golf course that meets the distance and location limitations.

Linda
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