Hi Linda,
In a tournament at our club my partner hit her ball behind
an electrical box (immovable obstruction). If she lined up to hit toward the
green the box was in her swing path. However, she did have a shot parallel to
the green. Our opponents said she could not take relief and her only option was
to hit into a bunker causing us the loss of hole. Could she have taken relief
without penalty?
Best,
Lulu from Massachusetts
Dear Lulu,
Yes.
An electrical box is an immovable obstruction (man-made). A
player is entitled to free relief from an immovable obstruction that interferes
with her stance or the area of her intended swing. She is entitled to drop the
ball within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, no closer to the
hole [Rule 24-2a and b].
Please note that the player is not entitled to relief if the
obstruction is on her line of play. After she drops the ball, the obstruction
may very well sit on her line of play towards the hole. As long as she is able
to stand and swing freely, she has received all the free relief to which she is
entitled.
Linda
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