Chain link boundary fence.

[effayjay]

Playing in a 4bbb match my ball came to rest against a high chain link fence marking the course boundary behind a green and protecting a road that bisects the course.

My pp suggested going to the road side of the fence and playing a stroke against it to move my ball towards the green.

Our opponents objected stating that we would be "leaving the course". I pointed out that we would have to leave the course to cross the road to the next hole and that it was my understanding that a breach of this nature was a rules myth.

I was less certain about playing a stroke against the fence. I can't find anything to suggest that this can't be done. Any views?

 

[rulefan]

There is a decision specifically for this situation.


[h=2]14-1a/5[/h] [h=4]Moving Ball Lying Against Fence by Striking Other Side of Fence[/h]Q.A player's ball lies against a board at the base of an out of bounds fence. He swings a club from the out of bounds side of the fence against the board, i.e., swings at the ball with the board intervening between the club and the ball. The stroke moves the board which causes the ball to move away from the fence. Is such a stroke permissible?

A.Yes. The player fairly struck at the ball even though other material intervened between the club and the ball. The Definition of "Out of Bounds" allows a player to "stand out of bounds to play a ball lying within bounds."

 

[Foxholer]

As ever, the answer to that myth is to toss them a copy of the Rule Book (and Card for LRs) and suggest they point out where it says that you can't do what your PP suggested!

You can also suggest that they make a claim - needs to be done before start of next hole - so that the result of hole can be sorted out later.

 

[TheJezster]

As ever, the answer to that myth is to toss them a copy of the Rule Book (and Card for LRs) and suggest they point out where it says that you can't do what your PP suggested!

You can also suggest that they make a claim - needs to be done before start of next hole - so that the result of hole can be sorted out later.

That's all well and good but the problem with this approach is that it's quite antagonising. It's not going to lead to a nice round. I was in a situation yesterday, if I'd done that it could have gone down hill rapidly. I don't play golf to get into arguments so it's not always the best thing to do.

 

[chrisd]

Handled well it doesn't have to lead to a problem. They think they're right you do too - suggest they make a claim so the right result can be sought

 

[effayjay]

Many thanks

 

[effayjay]

There is a decision specifically for this situation.


14-1a/5

Moving Ball Lying Against Fence by Striking Other Side of Fence

Q.A player's ball lies against a board at the base of an out of bounds fence. He swings a club from the out of bounds side of the fence against the board, i.e., swings at the ball with the board intervening between the club and the ball. The stroke moves the board which causes the ball to move away from the fence. Is such a stroke permissible?

A.Yes. The player fairly struck at the ball even though other material intervened between the club and the ball. The Definition of "Out of Bounds" allows a player to "stand out of bounds to play a ball lying within bounds."

many thanks

 

[Foxholer]

That's all well and good but the problem with this approach is that it's quite antagonising. It's not going to lead to a nice round. I was in a situation yesterday, if I'd done that it could have gone down hill rapidly. I don't play golf to get into arguments so it's not always the best thing to do.

True! I have no patience/tolerance with idiots who use daft logic like 'leaving the course' as an excuse for prohibition of shots for these sorts of incident! I DO have (some) patience/tolerance with those who think rules that have changed still apply.

The gentle way to approach it is to say you are certain that you are correct, but that they are welcome to put in a claim.

My approach to such certainty as this one, though not all, would be to laugh and toss the Rule Book... And also to suggest a round of Beers, or whatever, is placed on the outcome! It's amazing how this either makes the opponent reconsider and/or remember the outcome should the same situation happen again!

 

[rulefan]

Handled well it doesn't have to lead to a problem. They think they're right you do too - suggest they make a claim so the right result can be sought

Yes. Too many people forget that a rules 'dispute' matchplay doesn't have to be resolved on the spot. Indicate that a claim will be made and sort it out at the end.

 

[palindromicbob]

http://www.usga.org/articles/2016/02/our-experts-explain--phil-stays-in-bounds.html

 

[woody69]

Playing in a 4bbb match my ball came to rest against a high chain link fence marking the course boundary behind a green and protecting a road that bisects the course.

My pp suggested going to the road side of the fence and playing a stroke against it to move my ball towards the green.

Our opponents objected stating that we would be "leaving the course". I pointed out that we would have to leave the course to cross the road to the next hole and that it was my understanding that a breach of this nature was a rules myth.

I was less certain about playing a stroke against the fence. I can't find anything to suggest that this can't be done. Any views?

Did you ignore them and play the shot anyway?

 

[effayjay]

Did you ignore them and play the shot anyway?

No, because Whilst I knew that the leaving the course bit was nonsense I wasn't sure about the playing "through" the fence issue.