Hi Linda,
My opponent was in a bunker and about to play a shot onto
the green when I noticed a large garden hose lying on the edge of the
green.
The hose was also close to a large unplayable rough area. As
it was a difficult bunker shot and easy to run his ball over the green and into
the rough area, I said that the hose should be moved or at least lifted if his
ball was going to hit it. My opponent firmly disagreed and said the hose had to
remain.
Naturally he came out of the bunker, hit the hose and his
ball stopped on the green. If it didn't hit the hose his ball would have been
unplayable.
Was my request to move the hose unreasonable or was his
refusal correct?
Lou from Melbourne, Australia
Dear Lou,
Your opponent’s refusal was correct. A player is entitled to
the conditions that existed when his ball came to rest. If there is a movable
obstruction in your opponent’s way, he has the option to move it or leave it in
place. That decision is his and his alone.
If you move the
hose, you do not incur a penalty; your opponent is entitled to replace it. If
you indicate you are going to move
it, your opponent may ask you to leave it there. If you then proceed to move it,
you will lose the hole in match play [Decision 2/3], and you will be
disqualified in stroke play [Rule 3-4]. Please read Decision 23-1/10.
Linda
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