Hi Linda,
This is an oft debated ruling at our golf club, which I
don't think has ever been resolved there – too many opinions, not enough
knowledge. I was playing yesterday in a friendly match. My opponent’s ball
landed in light rough about 6" directly behind a small tree (say
3"diameter). He had no direct shot to the green in a forward direction,
but could have played sideways or away from the tree. He took his stance as if
to hit the ball forward towards the green, and then said: “My left foot is in a
rabbit scraping. I'm entitled to relief from it.” In taking a club-length relief
from the rabbit scraping he also then avoided the tree on his direct line to
the green. I know this doesn't seem reasonable or fair, but is it within the
Rules of Golf?
Best Regards
Lou from Bangor, Northern Ireland
Dear Lou,
Since the ball lies directly behind the tree –a normal,
living, expected inhabitant on a golf course– the only reasonable shot is
sideways. The player apparently had no interference from the rabbit scrape for a
sideways shot. A shot toward the green, with a tree six inches in front of the
ball, is not a normal direction of play.
The player is not entitled to claim free relief from an
abnormal ground condition (such as a rabbit scrape) when the only way it will
interfere with his stance is if he chooses to play in an unnecessarily abnormal
direction. Please read the Exception to Rule 25-1 and Decision 25-1b/21.
Linda
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