IanG
Tour Rookie
Could someone more au fait with the rules changes comment on how, if at all, the new embedded ball rules affect the situation when a ball is embedded in a revetted bunker face.
My reading is that the bunker face (as before) is not part of the bunker and so an embedded ball is eligible for free relief. The reference point for the relief area is right behind the ball, so most likely still on the face. If the ball can't be dropped or placed within 1 club length (no nearer the hole) of the reference point without rolling into the bunker how does one proceed?
Reading 14.3c and the 14.2e it implies you find the nearest point (not nearer the hole and in the general area) where it will can be placed and remain at rest.
Related to this, the embedded ball rule 16.3a has an exception saying relief is not allowed when '... interference by anything other than your ball been embedded makes your stroke clearly unreasonable...' Could this apply to a ball embedded half way up a revetted face where no reasonable stance could be taken?
Thanks
Ian
My reading is that the bunker face (as before) is not part of the bunker and so an embedded ball is eligible for free relief. The reference point for the relief area is right behind the ball, so most likely still on the face. If the ball can't be dropped or placed within 1 club length (no nearer the hole) of the reference point without rolling into the bunker how does one proceed?
Reading 14.3c and the 14.2e it implies you find the nearest point (not nearer the hole and in the general area) where it will can be placed and remain at rest.
Related to this, the embedded ball rule 16.3a has an exception saying relief is not allowed when '... interference by anything other than your ball been embedded makes your stroke clearly unreasonable...' Could this apply to a ball embedded half way up a revetted face where no reasonable stance could be taken?
Thanks
Ian