Hi Linda,
Question: A player is right-handed. There is no interference
with the normal right hand swing. The player takes a left-handed swing stance
and the object now interferes. Can they take relief for the left-handed stance
swing, and once relief is granted, change back to the right-handed swing?
This did not happen; a couple of my golfing buddies and I
are dissecting the rules and came up with this question.
Thanks in advance,
Lou from Atlanta, Georgia
Dear Lou,
No. A player is not entitled to claim relief for an abnormal
swing that is clearly unreasonable [Rule 24-2b, Exception; Decision 24-2b/18].
For example, if a player’s ball lies in a rough patch of grass near a bench,
and there is no interference from the bench for his right-handed swing, he may
not turn around and state that he plans to hit it left-handed in order to claim
interference from the bench and drop in a more favorable lie.
Here is an example of free relief for an abnormal swing that
would be reasonable:
A right-handed player’s ball is close to a boundary fence on
the left. In order to hit the ball toward the hole, he must turn around and hit
left-handed. An immovable obstruction interferes with the abnormal but reasonable
left-handed stroke. The player is entitled to relief from the obstruction.
After he drops, if he is now able to turn around and hit right-handed, he may
do so [Decision 24-2b/17].
Linda
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