Linda,
At my home course we have several split rail fences that are
basically decorative and are situated in patches of high wispy rough. When
someone's ball comes to rest close enough to the fences to impede a swing, we
take relief (immovable obstruction) with one club length & a free drop. Is
this correct or should we be proceeding under the unplayable lie rule?
Thanks,
Lou from Columbia, Pennsylvania
Dear Lou,
Interior fences are immovable obstructions. You are entitled
to free relief. Find the nearest point of relief and drop within one
club-length of that spot, no closer to the hole [Rule 24-2b].
Don’t forget that a fence that defines out of bounds is not
an immovable obstruction. If you are unable to hit the ball due to interference
from an out-of-bounds fence, you will have to take relief under the unplayable
ball Rule [Rule 28], which will add one penalty stroke to your score.
Linda
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