Linda,
Memphis is known for our giant oak trees. In the fall, the
leaves wreak havoc on speed of play, especially when the wind returns the
leaves to the recently cleaned fairways. It is my understanding that if
the club's Golf Committee decides to establish a "leaf rule," the
drop area is where your ball was last seen entering the "leaf area," within
one club-length of the NPR no closer to the hole. Others have argued that the
"drop area" is in the approximate area you believe your ball to be.
Can you clarify this please?
Lou from Collierville, Tennessee
Dear Lou,
Your understanding is correct, Lou.
When the Committee adopts a Local Rule declaring
accumulations of leaves to be ground under repair, relief is available under
Rule 25-1 [Decision 33-8/31].
I am assuming, from your narrative, that you are asking
about a ball that is lost amongst the leaves. I am also assuming that it is
known or virtually certain that the ball is hidden somewhere in the pile.
When a ball is known to be lost in an abnormal ground
condition, relief is available under Rule 25-1c. The player will take his
relief from the spot where the ball last
crossed into the condition (not where it may have ended up). If there is a
line around the leaves (which obviously there is not in your situation), the
spot where the ball last crossed the line is the reference point for taking
relief. Through the green, the player may substitute another ball and drop
within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole.
In a bunker, free relief is the same as through the green except that the
player must drop in the bunker [complete relief is not a requirement in the
bunker – please read Rule 25-1b (ii)].
Linda
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