Abnormal Ground Condition

[user2010]

Does a deep wheel track/rut in the rough, caused by a tractor or machinery, come under the AGC rule, specifically Rule 25-1b?

 

[doublebogey7]

No, although decision 25/16 tells us that the committee would be justified in declaring a deep rut Ground Under Repair.

 

[Old Skier]

Although I'm not in a position today to dig it out I believe there is wording for a local rule to cover tractor/tyre ruts

 

[Old Skier]

This should point you in the right direction http://www.randa.org/Guidance-on-Ru.../3-Local-Rules/SubRules/3-Ground-Under-Repair

note that it should only be temporary

 

[user2010]

"If the damage, especially by machines, is restricted to specific areas, it is recommended that the application of the Local Rule be restricted to that locality. Such Local Rules should be of a temporary nature and should not be included on a Club’s score card".


The above is from the link that Old Skier supplied and this is the problem because on the back of our scorecard it states that relief is allowed from deep ruts caused by tractors or machinery.
So, is my club in the wrong from:-

A: Putting this on the scorecard?
B: Allowing relief from the ruts?

 

[rulie]

"If the damage, especially by machines, is restricted to specific areas, it is recommended that the application of the Local Rule be restricted to that locality. Such Local Rules should be of a temporary nature and should not be included on a Club’s score card".


The above is from the link that Old Skier supplied and this is the problem because on the back of our scorecard it states that relief is allowed from deep ruts caused by tractors or machinery.
So, is my club in the wrong from:-

A: Putting this on the scorecard?
B: Allowing relief from the ruts?

Yes (2x).

How deep is deep?

 

[Colin L]

"If the damage, especially by machines, is restricted to specific areas, it is recommended that the application of the Local Rule be restricted to that locality. Such Local Rules should be of a temporary nature and should not be included on a Club’s score card".


The above is from the link that Old Skier supplied and this is the problem because on the back of our scorecard it states that relief is allowed from deep ruts caused by tractors or machinery.
So, is my club in the wrong from:-

A: Putting this on the scorecard?
B: Allowing relief from the ruts?

It is not, in my view, wrong on either count. (I have to disagree with Rulie on this one.)

The Committee can define any part of the course to be GUR. Decision 25/16 specifically sanctions defining tractor/machine ruts as GUR.

As I read it, the Guidance on Running a Competition advises on the wording of a permanent Local Rule:
if relief from such conditions is considered equitable, it should be granted on the same terms as in Rule 25-1 and the Local Rule, with such variations as are required to meet the individual circumstances, might read:'Hoof marks [or tractor tyre marks] are ground under repair and Rule 25-1 applies.'


The paragraph following which you quote is about a problem that is confined to a specific area. Only in that instance should the LR be temporary and not included in a score card. Making a general and permanent LR allowing relief from tractor ruts and noting it on the scorecard is sanctioned in the same way as having a LR making stones in bunkers movable obstructions.