A Snowman

[Doon frae Troon]

No not an eight on the scorecard.
Driving past our local course and saw a couple of golfers walking past a melting six foot high snowman in the middle of the fairway.
I wondered what the ruling would be if one of there balls finished directly behind it

 

[delc]

I guess that it would be either an immovable obstruction or manufactured ice.

 

[palindromicbob]

Snow and natural ice, other than frost, are either casual water or loose impediments at the option of the player from the definitions.

From that if my swing, stance etc was affected or my ball had replaced one of the snow man's buttons I'd treat is as casual water.

If I were behind it and it was affecting my line of play but not directly the required interference for relief from casual water then I'd dismantle it.

 

[rulefan]

An "obstruction" is anything artificial, ......except:
Any construction declared by the Committee to be an integral part of the course.

This implies that any other construction is an obstruction

An obstruction is a movable obstruction if it may be moved without unreasonable effort, without unduly delaying play and without causing damage. Otherwise, it is an immovable obstruction.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

An "obstruction" is anything artificial, ......except:
Any construction declared by the Committee to be an integral part of the course.

This implies that any other construction is an obstruction

An obstruction is a movable obstruction if it may be moved without unreasonable effort, without unduly delaying play and without causing damage. Otherwise, it is an immovable obstruction.

This was a six foot solid snow/ice construction, difficult to dismantle/move would a snowman be described as artificial?

 

[rulefan]

Yes, unless his parents were made from snow.

 

[Tashyboy]

At this time of the year I would imagine pick and place would be the ruling. However don't know how you would go on in July if there was a snowman there and it was normal rules 😁

 

[palindromicbob]

An "obstruction" is anything artificial, ......except:
Any construction declared by the Committee to be an integral part of the course.

This implies that any other construction is an obstruction

An obstruction is a movable obstruction if it may be moved without unreasonable effort, without unduly delaying play and without causing damage. Otherwise, it is an immovable obstruction.

Well that reduces any relief options for interference with line of play then.

Unless, if there is a hat near it put it back on. That may be why it's there. Could be a magic hat that allows it to come to life and then feck off.

 

[Deleted member 15717]

Yes, unless his parents were made from snow.

I have nothing to add, except I feel this comment was grossly overlooked for comedic value. I applaud you!

 

[Franco]

That goes for me too.

 

[MashieNiblick]

Isn't there something about if it's dead it's an obstruction but if it's alive it's an outside agency?

 

[rulefan]

Isn't there something about if it's dead it's an obstruction but if it's alive it's an outside agency?

An animal (other than the player, his caddie, his partner or his opponent) is always outside agency but if it's a dead animal it's also a loose impediment (unless it it buried).

 

[Odvan]

Yes, unless his parents were made from snow.

I have nothing to add, except I feel this comment was grossly overlooked for comedic value. I applaud you!

I too agree. Just read this thread and 'lol'd', as the kids would say.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Yes, unless his parents were made from snow.

:rofl: