Confused.com , advice please

[bladeplayer]

Is plugged ball & a ball embedded in its own pitch mark not the same thing ...?

Here's what happened .. at a club match that I was watching yesterday there was a case of a ball plugged off the fairway .. there was a discussion & free relief was taken .. I was walking with a few from our club & their club & I said asked was it a local rule due to the bad weather or what ?

I was told its in the new rules that a ball plugged or embedded in its own mark anywhere except a hazard is a free drop since the new rules .. now im aware the pro's have it as a local rule at comps (well 90% sure)..

I tried looking up the ruling and found rule 25-2.. can someone please tell me is there a different rule that says your allowed a drop from embedded ball in the rough

Thanks
Bill

 

[Twire]

I think you'll find it's "Closely mown area" only.

 

[bladeplayer]

I think you'll find it's "Closely mown area" only.

That's what I was fairly sure of aswell mate , I asked was there a local rule on it . no I was told its in the new rules ..

I even told them I thought it was wrong , that that rule only covered the pro's .. Team captains seemed sure, it had nothing to do with me then , I was just watching, so I left them to it

 

[DCB]

Had exactly the same in a Junior match yesterday, No relief from a plugged ball in the rough.

 

[bobmac]

Some clubs have the local rule in the winter.
Plugged ball in the rough...lift clean and drop
Plugged ball in the fairway...lift clean and place

 

[bladeplayer]

Some clubs have the local rule in the winter.
Plugged ball in the rough...lift clean and drop
Plugged ball in the fairway...lift clean and place

That's what I thought it was Bob , but I was told No its a new rule ..

I don't claim to know all or most of the rules even , just surprised so many experienced match players etc were so sure its a new rule ..

Thanks fot the answers guys , much appreciated

 

[MashieNiblick]

The Rules rumour mill/urban myth maker strikes again.

I bet they we told it by some body, who was told it by some body, etc, etc.

Worth knowing that at the front of the Rules there's a section on "Principal Changes" which summarises any changes in that edition of the Rules.

 

[duncan mackie]

..... just surprised so many experienced match players etc were so sure its a new rule ..

I'm not and generaly Club Matches are the most common place for these things to crop up (at every level!)

 

[rulefan]

That's what I thought it was Bob , but I was told No its a new rule ..

Ask them to show you it.

Rule 25-2 covers a ball embedded in its own pitchmark in a closely mown area.
There is a Local Rule Appendix I 4a) which has been around for years. The PGA Tour has in effect all year round. The R&A does not for its events.

 

[duncan mackie]

I'm not and generaly Club Matches are the most common place for these things to crop up (at every level!)

oh, and it was originally added to Rule 16 in 1980, before what many (still) consider the 'new rules' came in in 1984

 

[bladeplayer]

This "new" rule is rife in my club now ................. 3 people wanted an argument over it last night .. told them find it in the rule book & come back to me on it , then we will discuss it .. so im waiting patiently ..

 

[mattdeeks]

In our Society we have a rule where you if you have a plugged ball any where on the course, we can lift, clean and drop in the rough and place on the fairway.

 

[Twire]

In our Society we have a rule where you if you have a plugged ball any where on the course, we can lift, clean and drop in the rough and place on the fairway.

Some clubs have that as a local rule, but it can't be used in qualifiers.

 

[Colin L]

A club can introduce a local rule allowing preferred lies on closely mown areas in adverse conditions. Qualifying rounds can be held with this in place during a specified period of the year. It can also introduce a local rule allowing relief from an embedded ball through the green and hold a qualifying round with it in place.

 

[rulefan]

Preferred Lies are only permitted for qualifiers during the period 1 October to 30 April. Outside this period, consent from the Area Authority (County) must be obtained.,

 

[DCB]

Preferred Lies are only permitted for qualifiers during the period 1 October to 30 April. Outside this period, consent from the Area Authority (County) must be obtained.,

And that was a weekly occurrence last summer

 

[Colin L]

Indeed. I probably misremember the exact number, but it was something like 24 Lothian clubs applied for consent.