Hi Linda,
We have a green that is almost an island. The approach area
in front is marked with yellow stakes - a water hazard. At each side, the last
yellow stake has a red stake on the outside, and close together, indicating the end of the water hazard and
the start of the a lateral water hazard. With the circular frontage as
it is, and stake positioning, there is almost no way someone can hit the
lateral hazard area without first going through the yellow hazard stakes.
So if the ball goes through the yellow stakes, hits the
green and then rolls into the water at the lateral stake area (happens all the
time!), can she take lateral hazard relief? If she cannot take lateral relief,
what is the point of the red stakes? In particular, shouldn't that relief be
taken where the ball first crossed the line of the hazard, no matter where it
ends up? Our members are constantly taking lateral hazard relief - should they?
Should the yellow stakes be closer together to give the players a break?
Thanks,
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
You may be surprised to learn that the answer is quite
simple. When you choose the relief option to drop behind a water hazard [Rule
26-1b], or the two-club-length option for a lateral hazard [Rule 26-1c], your
point of reference for taking relief is the point where the ball LAST crossed the margin of the hazard. Thus, if your ball crosses the
yellow stakes, hits the green, and rolls off the green into the hazard where it
is marked with red stakes, your ball LAST
crossed the margin of the hazard where it was marked as a lateral hazard.
The ball is deemed to be in a lateral hazard, and you may choose any of the
three options available in Rule 26-1 for relief.
The members of your course who have been taking lateral
hazard relief for balls that last
crossed the hazard margin where it is marked by red stakes have been playing
correctly.
Linda
Copyright © 2014 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
