Hi Linda,
In my game today I put my tee shot near a plover that was
nesting–the birds were screeching and flying in, trying to attack my partners
who were trying to scare the bird away so that I might take my shot.
I couldn't get into position because every time I addressed
the ball the birds came at us, protecting their nest. Eventually three players
all waved and shouted just long enough for me to duff my next shot into the
bunker.
Would I have been entitled to relief of any sort? The birds
were clearly in distress, and to be honest I was concerned not only for the
birds but all of us as well.
Regards,
Lou from Sydney, Australia
Dear Lou,
Players are entitled to free relief from dangerous
situations. However, “dangerous,” under the Rules of Golf, is defined as
poisonous or life-threatening. Rattlesnakes and bees’ nests would be considered
dangerous; poison ivy and cacti would not.
I received a similar question about nesting geese in January
of 2011 (Ask Linda #275). Geese are much larger than plovers, and while they do
not have talons, they have strong beaks and will fight to protect their young.
I consulted the USGA, and was told that the USGA does not consider geese to be
dangerous, as they are neither poisonous nor life-threatening. I suspect the
ruling would be the same for plovers – the birds are only 6–8 inches long
(15–19 cm). Accordingly, if the player chooses not to play his ball he must take
his one-stroke penalty and use one of the relief options in Rule 26 (Water
Hazards) or Rule 28 (Ball Unplayable) [Decision 1-4/11].
However, I believe you can approach the nesting plover
problem from another angle. According to Wikipedia, “human disturbances can
cause the abandonment of nests and chicks. It is best to stay away from any
bird that appears distressed to prevent any unintended consequences.” Plovers are
also an endangered species in the U.S. (not sure about Australia). If you
consult the R&A, you might find that they permit a Local Rule to allow free
relief from nesting plovers. What player would want to be responsible for
causing parents to abandon their chicks?
If a Local Rule providing free relief is in effect, the
relief procedure is basically the same as for a ball in abnormal ground
conditions (see Rule 25-1b). The procedure is specifically spelled out in
Decision 1-4/10. Here is a link to that Decision: http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Decision-01/#d1-4-10.
Linda
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