Another rules query

[Leftie]

As previously mentioned, although a leftie, I am 100% right handed and as a result am able to "play" some shots the other way round, usually using the back of the club. Sometimes I actually carry a right handed 7 iron just in case.

The scenario is......

I put a shot into a new plantation and claim relief from a staked tree. I take a free drop at the nearest point of relief from which it is impossible to play left handed but would be able to play the shot the other way round to get the ball progressed. If however I were to play the shot right handed, I would be standing on a path from which relief could be claimed and the free drop would be even further away from the original ball position.

Can I take free relief again? And if I do, the position that relief is taken allowes me to play the shot left handed instead. Do I have to play the shot right or left handed?

Believe it or not, I actually had this scenario in a round. Fortunately in was in a friendly 4bbb and at the end of the day it didn't really matter.

 

[madandra]

I remember watching a tour event years ago (Ray Floyd I think) and he wanted releif fron a path and faced the tee to show the referee he would be standing on the path. The ref said the hole was in the other direction to which the golfer replied 'you cannot tell me which direction to play'

 

[John_Findlay]

Leftie, you play left handed. The diagrams in the new "Introduction" section of the new rules book show where a player's nearest point of relief is. It is where they can take a proper stance.


So how could you "take a free drop at the nearest point of relief from which it is impossible to play left handed" ? You chose the wrong spot.

This is one example of where the rules differ for lefties and righties.

 

[Atticus_Finch]

The expression "reasonable stroke" springs to mind.
have a look at this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU0cGVvrxWc

 

[Leftie]

Interesting JF. Now we are getting somewhere.

The drop is taken from one club length from the point that avoids interference from the condition (paraphrased due to too much Merlot)taken as a leftie playable or not. I don't think that taking a proper stance is applicable here.

I didn't chose the wrong spot, I took the drop exactly as I should - the nearest point of relief from the staked tree as a leftie (I understand that this can be a different place to a right handed player). As a result, it was not possible to play a shot left handed due to un-staked trees but I could have played it right handed. However at that point I was standing on a path from which relief could have been taken if the shot was played right handed which I have been known to do.

The rules aren't different for lefties, it's just that dropping spots can be different.

This scenario could as well apply to a rightie who can play shots cackhanded.

 

[John_Findlay]

That's a cracker, Atticus. Good thinking by Andy Prodger, the caddie, too.

This video shows the nearest point of relief rule perfectly;-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiVbHI7_-zA&feature=related

And it reminds us that in fact, following the drop, the ball can legitimately end up 3 (yes three) clublengths away from the nearest point of relief. Most golfers forget this when dropping, i,e that they usually have a one clublength area into which to drop the ball but it can run a further 2 without having to re-drop.

 

[John_Findlay]

The rules aren't different for lefties, it's just that dropping spots can be different.

You're right, Leftie. What I meant to say was that the application of the same rule can be entirely different, depending on whether you're a lefty or a righty.

 

[Leftie]

Great one A_F. Where do you find them?

 

[Leftie]

Drop was taken exactly as described. Due to further interference I wanted to use a 4 iron right handed to progress the ball towards the fairway/hole and was standing on a path thus claiming relief.

I assume that the next drop should have been taken as a right hander but if the final position of the ball allowed me to play either handed, could I so do?

 

[John_Findlay]

Oh Lord, Leftie. That's one for John Paramour. My brain hurts.

Couldn't you take releif (on your usual left handed shot) from the further interference? This is why in many plantations of staked trees you get free relief from the entire plantion, not just individual trees, under local rules.

 

[USER1999]

You used to be able to use any club to see if the obstruction interfered, and also swing either way round and then claim relief, put that club away, and pick another one. The rules now are that it has to be a reasonable club, and the interference has to be from a realistic swing, that you would want to use, using the club you would want to use. ( I haven't time to look up the correct wording), but basically what you want to do is wrong.

 

[madandra]

Atticus, thats the one I was refering to. Well done m8

 

[viscount17]

Setanta last night - rules program.

Ernie Els initial drop at the nearest point of relief meant that his stance was 'inhibited(?)' by a path. He was then also entitled to relief from the path.

 

[Dave3498]

It seems to me that if you take a legitimate drop as a left-hander, the ball is now in play and a completely new scenario arises. If you then want to play a right-handed shot with a right handed club, and you are not taking an unusual line of play, you should then be entitled to relief from the path.

In such a case in competition it would be wise to play an alternative ball under the rules, and get a ruling from the committee later.

 

[viscount17]

I'm sure the rules program said that you were entitled to a free drop if the intended shot with the 'intended club' was blocked. The inference was that having taken the drop you should then play with that club.
Also I'm fairly sure you are supposed to measure the one-club length with the club you intend to use - no long handled putters to get back on the fairway.

 

[birdieman]

You use the club you would play the shot with only to find your point of nearest relief i.e. where you can swing unrestricted. You are then allowed a one club length drop from that point not nearer the hole for which you are entitled to measure with a driver.