Monday, February 26, 2018

Ask Linda #1707-Relief for ball in casual water in rough is on fairway

Linda,
I have a rules question for you. 
Ball is in the first cut of rough, just off the fairway, but lies in casual water. If you take relief and it takes you onto the fairway, is that legal, or do you have to stay in the same condition? 
Thanks 
Lulu from New Jersey

Dear Lulu,

In seeking relief from casual water, the player must find the nearest point of relief and drop within one club-length of that point, no closer to the hole. If that area happens to improve her condition, that is her good fortune. The Rules of Golf do not distinguish between fairway and rough with regard to taking relief [Decision 24-2b/8].

You may be interested in two prior columns I posted explaining nearest point of relief:

Linda
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