Hi Linda—I really appreciate your column.
My question relates to Movable Obstructions. Rule 15.2 says a player can remove a movable obstruction anywhere on the course. The Purpose section of Rule 15 says you are normally allowed to remove them when they interfere with your play.
So what is “interference with play?”
Are line of sight (distracting the player) and line of play (flight of ball interference) obstructions under this Rule? For example, a ball in play lies 15 yards or so behind a removable yardage marker pole. Swing and stance are not obstructed, but the player is concerned the yardage marker may interfere with the flight of her ball. While it takes some time for her to do it, she removes it.
Local officials have said movable obstructions are those that can be removed by “reasonable effort” or if they are “readily movable,” but I could not find where these terms are defined in golf.
So, in the absence of stating otherwise, Rule 15.2 seems to allow removal of any movable obstruction for any reason, regardless of
—the distance between where the ball lies and the potential interference with play, and
—the time it takes for the player to remove the actual or potential obstruction.
Do you agree?
Thanks very much.
Lulu from Sacramento, California
Dear Lulu,
Yes, I agree, within reason.
Rule 15.2 allows the player to remove a movable obstruction anywhere on or off the course in any way (excluding tee markers when the ball is played from the teeing area and removing a movable obstruction that would affect a ball in motion).
Movable Obstructions are defined as artificial objects that “can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstruction or the course.” This definition expects a modicum of common sense on the part of the golfer. If you need a shovel or a front-end loader to move the object, it does not meet the definition of “movable” under the Rules of Golf.
With regard to distance, we must again turn to common sense. A movable yardage marker 15 yards away on the player’s line of play is a legitimate distraction, and should take little time to remove; perhaps another player might be recruited to help out. A yardage marker 100 yards away would not receive the same treatment; removing such an object would be unreasonable, as it would significantly delay play. The requirement of Rule 5.6a that a player must not unreasonably delay play would be in effect.
Linda
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