Linda,
During a recent round my ball came to rest in the rough just
2 or 3 yards off the green. There was casual water on the fringe of the green
and it was directly where I would want my chip shot to land before rolling
towards the hole.
Due to the fact that the casual water was in my target
landing spot, I chose to play a different shot (more of a high lob shot).
Was I entitled to a free drop because of the casual water?
Thanks,
Lou from Nova Scotia
Dear Lou,
No.
A player is entitled to relief from casual water if the ball
lies in the water, or if the water interferes with his stance or the area of
his intended swing. There is no free relief from casual water (or any other
abnormal ground condition) that lies on the player’s line of play [Rule 25-1a].
The only exception to this is if the player’s ball lies on
the putting green and the abnormal ground condition intervenes on the player’s
line of putt.
Linda
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