Ball close to oob fence

[Vikingman]

A players ball finishes to the left of the green within a couple of inches from an out of bounds fence but due to vegetation playing the ball is impossible.

To complicate matters a cart path runs between the the ball and the green but is no more than two feet from the ball and the oob fence runs parallel to the green.

Taking the ball back on a line is not possible because of the oob.

Going back to replay the shot is an option.

But what would be the issues regards the two club length drop?

My understanding is you cannot drop nearer the hole so how do work out the maths, then are there issues with the cart path and taking full relief, ie not dropping or standing on the path or would this be ok because your taking relief under penalty?

Sorry if this seems a bit messy.

 

[jim8flog]

If a player is going to take an unplayable lie the his options you clearly know.

If he able to take a drop within the two club lengths without being closer to hole then he may do so. If that two clubs lengths is, say, inside a bush that is where he would have to drop, if that two club lengths is on to a cart path then that is where he would drop. Once the ball is on the path he then gets free relief from the cart path if it is not integral to the course. If a player is taking relief from the cart path then they are not allowed to stand on the path when determining nearest point of relief and after taking relief.

For unplayable if a player cannot drop within the two club lengths or keeping the original point between the hole and going back on the line their only remaining option is to go to where they hit their last shot from.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Classic situation where you address the situation that you encounter - and use the rules and options available for that initial scenario - and do not project forward to the scenario that you 'might' find yourself in subsequently. You deal with the fact of the first scenario and ignore your 'what-if' projections/maybes about the scenario you might then find yourself in.

 

[rulefan]

Have a look at this

http://www.usga.org/rules/rules-and-decisions.html#!decision-24,d24-2b-3.7

and the two preceding decisions