Linda…if a player is just off the green and a small ant
mound is between his/her ball and the putting surface, is the player allowed
relief or at least allowed to carefully brush away the mound, considering it as
a loose impediment?
Thanks,
Lou from Texas
Dear Lou,
You may not move your ball, but you may move the ants.
Assuming these are not dangerous fire ants, but rather the
regular garden-variety black ant, you may brush the ants and their soft mound
aside [Decision 23/5]. They are loose impediments [Definition of “Loose Impediments;” Rule
23-1].
Fire ants are another story. You are entitled to free relief
when you encounter a dangerous situation. If there is no Local Rule giving you
automatic relief from fire ants, you may cite Decision 1-4/10 and take free
relief.
Linda
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