Dear Linda,
Do you get line-of-sight relief from the pole
distance-markers in the middle of the fairway? I consider them a normal part of
the course, and therefore no relief is allowed. Some of my partners either move
their ball to the side (not related to stance or swing relief), or physically
pull the pole out of the shaft buried in the ground - even when it is 20 feet
away! One person says the pole is in two parts specifically so it can be moved
out of line-of-site. I think it is in two parts so the grounds crew can mow the
fairway.
Thank you,
Lulu from Stillwater, Oklahoma
Dear Lulu,
The pole distance markers are movable obstructions. Players
may remove them at any time, even when their ball is 20 feet away [Rule 24-1].
What they may not do is move the
ball to the side. The option to drop away from an obstruction is limited to
immovable obstructions that interfere with your stance or the area of your
intended swing.
Whenever you encounter a man-made object on a golf course
that is designed to be removed, you may remove it.
Linda
Copyright © 2015 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
