Hi Linda,
At our Jack Nicklaus-designed course we have a bunker inside
the green. I hit my ball onto the green but it landed in an area where the
bunker blocked my putting line to the hole. Our local rule is this....
''You can drop and pitch outside the green within one club
length maintaining line of sight.''
Where do I drop?
Outside the green but still on the putting
line which is still being blocked by the bunker, or can I drop in a lateral
area still away from the hole and outside the green but the bunker is not
blocking my shot anymore and I have a clear pitch shot?
Thanks.
Lou from the Philippines
Dear Lou,
I have a problem answering this question, since this Local
Rule at your course is not acceptable under the Rules of Golf. All Local Rules
must be consistent with the Local Rules in Appendix I at the back of the
rulebook. The course would need special permission from the USGA to implement
this unauthorized Local Rule.
A bunker in the middle of a green is unusual, but not
unheard of. You may putt around it, you may chip over it, or you may declare
the ball unplayable and choose one of the relief options in Rule 28, all of
which include one penalty stroke.
Linda
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