Hi Linda,
My golf course has an excessive worm problem in the winter
months and is about 40% covered with worm casts.
These casts are designated loose impediments. (Rule Book)
My question is: Can the player, when operating under
the Preferred Lie Rule, place his ball on top of the loose impediment (worm
cast) to give himself a better lie than he would get by placing the ball on the
fairway grass?
Taking it a step further, can the ball be placed on any type
of loose impediment that improves the lie of the ball but still meets the
requirements of the local rule, as per the specimen rule?
Kind regards,
Lou from New Zealand
Dear Lou,
The Local Rule for “preferred lies” states that the ball
must be placed on a spot. It does
not put any limits on that spot other than that it be no closer to the hole and
within whatever distance the Committee requires (e.g., one club-length, one
scorecard length, etc.).
Accordingly, the player may place his ball on a worm cast or
other loose impediment, or even on an obstruction. However, the loose impediment or obstruction must already be there,
and the player may not move it.
This may sound like good news, but buyer beware – if the
ball comes to rest after it is placed, and subsequently
moves, the player must play the ball as it lies. This may mean that there is
now a lumpy worm cast directly behind the ball, giving the player a lie that is
less than ideal.
My thanks to Referee Lou from England who provided this
ruling.
Linda
Copyright © 2016 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
