advice on rules question

[bladeplayer]

I hit a drive which just misses the fairway near the yardage post , ok so i can drop away from post @ nearest point of relief.. correct ?? now as the ball is the rough side, rather than the fairway side of the post, my nearest point of relief from that leaves me with clear swing but no clear shot to the green . my question is do i have the OPTION of removing the yardage post to play my shot from where it lies , or do i have to take the drop or just play it and punch it down the fairway

 

[bobmac]

I presume you mean the 150 yrd post. You simply lift the post and play the ball as it lies unless the post is immovable ie cemented in

 

[DCB]

If the yardage marker post is easily moved, there is nothing to stop you lifting it out of position and playing the shot then placing it back in it's correct position.

 

[viscount17]

if the marker post is a removeable object then no drop just move the post?

 

[SammmeBee]

If the yardage marker post is easily moved, there is nothing to stop you lifting it out of position and playing the shot then placing it back in it's correct position.

Unless it has been deemed to be an immovable obstruction (even if you can still move it).....but yes you are right!

 

[MashieNiblick]

As I understand it an obstruction is either moveable or immoveable and you take relief under Rule 24-1 (move the obstruction) or 24-2 (free drop) as appropriate but you don't have an option to chose which. Generally if it can be easily moved it's moveable so 24-1 applies but it's also worth checking your local rules to see whether the posts have been specifically designated as moveable or immoveable obstructions.

In either case as the Rule provides that you may take relief you have the option to play the ball as it lies subject to any local rule which may require you to take relief under the applicable Rule.

If they are immoveable obstructions and taking relief in accordance with the rules means you have a worse line to the green then you just have to accept it. Same applies to abnormal ground conditions e.g. GUR.

Decision 24-2b/3 states

"Player Determines Nearest Point of Relief But Physically Unable to Play Intended Stroke

Q. In proceeding under Rule 24-2b(i) or Rule 25-1b(i), the Definition of “Nearest Point of Relief” provides that to determine the nearest point of relief accurately, the player should use the club, address position, direction of play and swing (right or left-handed) that he would have used to make his next stroke had the obstruction or condition not been there. What is the procedure if, having determined the stroke he would have used, he is unable physically to make such a stroke from, what would appear to be, the nearest point of relief because either (a) the direction of play is blocked by a tree, or (b) he is unable to take the backswing for the intended stroke due to a bush?

A. The point identified is the nearest point of relief. The fact that at this point the player cannot make the intended stroke due to something other than the obstruction or condition from which relief is being taken does not alter this result. The player must drop the ball within one clublength of the nearest point of relief, not nearer the hole. Once the ball is in play, the player must then decide what type of stroke he will make. This stroke may be different from the one he would have made from the ball's original position had the obstruction or condition not been there."

Also need to remember that there is no relief from an Immoveable Obstruction simply on the basis that it is on your line of play. However if the obstruction intereferes with your stance or swing and the nearest point of relief also gives relief from interference with your line of play you get the benefit. Decsion 24-2b/7 - Relief from Obstruction Interfering with Swing Incidentally Gives Relief from Intervention on Line of Play.

I think that is all right but as usual open to correction.

 

[bladeplayer]

Thanks guys

 

[chris661]

If the yardage marker post is easily moved, there is nothing to stop you lifting it out of position and playing the shot then placing it back in it's correct position.

Not at my place they are immovable and would incur a penalty if you removed them.

 

[Tommo21]

If the yardage marker post is easily moved, there is nothing to stop you lifting it out of position and playing the shot then placing it back in it's correct position.

Not at my place they are immovable and would incur a penalty if you removed them.

Only a council with no brains would do that. If they're immovable how can you remove them?

 

[DCB]

So you'll have a local rule stating that and stating the relevant procedure for taking relief