Ball in non-animal hole

[Beedee]

Is there any relief available if a ball is effectively underground in a hole, but it is definitely not an animal hole?

The circumstance in question is a hole with a tiered fairway. There's a line of wooden sleepers between the tiers. The sleepers have been there for years and some are showing their age. One in particular has a hole that's clearly caused by rot. The scorecard make explicit mention of the sleepers, declaring them to integral to the course with no free relief available for a ball resting on or against.

The argument a few people have made is that they are clearly artificial, and there's a mention of "on or against", but no mention of "in". They think they should get free relief. I think a ball ending up there is really unlucky, but tough. Who's right?

 

[Voyager EMH]

If the local rule is that the sleepers are integral part of the course then no relief.

I think a ball ending up there is really unlucky, but tough.

 

[Steven Rules]

At the start you say 'underground in a hole', but later I gain the impession it is in a rotted-out hollow within the sleeper.

If the latter then no relief. The Committee has declared the sleepers integral and explicitly said no relief for a ball on or aganst. If it is in a rotted hollow it sounds to me like it is still sitting 'on' a (internal) part of the sleeper. No point trying to be 'tricky' by trying to find a loophole in the Committee's intent.

It would be definitely worth having a mature conversation with the Committee, though, about the unintended consequences of the local tule and/or improving the maintenance around this aspect of the course.

 

[Steven Rules]

One in particular has a hole that's clearly caused by rot.

Next time you are walking past, put a pine cone (or similar natural object) in the hole so that a ball can't roll into it.

 

[Voyager EMH]

Next time you are walking past, put a pine cone (or similar natural object) in the hole so that a ball can't roll into it.

Maybe a rock or stone?

 

[rulefan]

Is there any relief available if a ball is effectively underground in a hole, but it is definitely not an animal hole?

The circumstance in question is a hole with a tiered fairway. There's a line of wooden sleepers between the tiers. The sleepers have been there for years and some are showing their age. One in particular has a hole that's clearly caused by rot. The scorecard make explicit mention of the sleepers, declaring them to integral to the course with no free relief available for a ball resting on or against.

The argument a few people have made is that they are clearly artificial, and there's a mention of "on or against", but no mention of "in". They think they should get free relief. I think a ball ending up there is really unlucky, but tough. Who's right?

As the sleepers are specified by local rule to be Integral Objects the definition specifies that "free relief is not allowed", regardless of whether the ball is "on or against".

 

[KenL]

Time to ask for the sleepers to not be an integral part of the course!

 

[rulefan]

Time to ask for the sleepers to not be an integral part of the course!

Why? They would seem to be part of the original design.

 

[Voyager EMH]

4th hole at Charnwood Forest has a dry-stone wall across the fairway. Integral part of the course. No free-relief if your ball gets lodged inside the wall.



It is a short uphill par 4. Laying-up with the tee shot is sensible.

 

[KenL]

Why? They would seem to be part of the original design.

Things move on. We used to use carrier pigeons.

 

[Voyager EMH]

If your ball at rest is moved on by a carrier pigeon, I think you are allowed to replace it.