Dear Linda,
In case of the left pin as shown below in orange, is it allowed to have reference point (R) behind yellow line but in the penalty area with part of relief area one club-length (x) on the near side of green?
Regards,
Lou from Thailand
Dear Lou,
This is an excellent question. A careful reading of Rule 17.1d does not reveal a prohibition on the reference point being in the penalty area. It only prohibits the relief area from being in the same penalty area. Therefore, I would think that if there were a small slice of relief available outside the penalty area that is no closer to the hole and within one club-length of a reference point that is back on the line on the green side of the penalty area, it would be permitted to drop in that small slice.
Personally, I would like to see an official clarification about this issue from the ruling bodies. I understand the concept that what the Rules do not prohibit they permit. But allowing the reference point for relief to be in the penalty area and allowing players to drop on the green side of a yellow penalty area is so contrary to everyone’s prior understanding of how to take relief from a yellow penalty area that I believe this is one case where what is permitted should be spelled out.
Linda
Copyright © 2019 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
Further comment from Lou:
Hi Linda...
Actually my point is this:
Every island green with yellow line, there would be a chance (up to the pin position) to drop on the island side or even on the green with reference point in the penalty area and behind the yellow line.
If people start to get familiar with this application, every time of the similar situation they would walk to the green first to check if allowed to drop near the green or not. No provisional ball allowed since the ball is in the penalty area.
Imagine… TPC Sawgrass hole 17…if all 3 balls hit the green and go into the yellow penalty area. Everyone would walk to the green to check if dropping on green side allowed firstly. Will this kill pace of play that we are looking for? There also are chances this would occur on other par 4 & 5 elsewhere…Walk and check first… Chaos…
Regards,
Lou from Thailand
My response:
You make an excellent point, Lou. It would seem that the authors of the new Rules did not anticipate such a scenario. I suspect that if this becomes the case, and play is significantly delayed, they may want to reconsider this Rule at some point in the future.
Regards,
Linda
