The course-side fence is the immediate problem. There is interference from the fence.
The Rule simply says:
When Relief is Allowed
An abnormal course condition physically interferes with the player's intended stance or area of intended swing.
EOS
Thank you, fence,! Keep the ball ,as well
I don't think that is the end of the story. Relief from the fence is not automatic - one has to consider Rule 16.1a(3) - No Relief When Clearly Unreasonable.
I'm not convinced that such a situation exists here. The ball is not directly affected by any other condition. But if the R&A said it does, I wouldn't argue.
However, the stance or area of intended swing may well be affected. Suppose the ball is within two inches of the fence (on the course side) for a right-handed player - would a stroke be clearly unreasonable because of the hedge?
A stoke played away from the hole (ie backwards) would not be unreasonable but could well have interference from the fence and not the hedge.
But that would preclude what seems to have become common practice - free relief.
But it does resolve any Rules of golf issues, which is why we're discussing it.
In the majority of situations where the fence currently prevents any form of stoke, the same would apply were the fence not thereā¦the hedge would prevent the stroke. There are many times where a ball is far enough from the fence and hedge for a proper stroke to be made, but the fence prevents what the player might consider an ideal stroke. At the moment he can take a stance that results in the club hitting the fence and so he gets free relief and can then play his ideal stroke.
Absolutelyā¦our Comp and Rules Sec sees it that way, as well as thinking that getting free relief in the scenario is too far along the spectrum of āgetting away with itā or āthe rules helpingā. But the Gents and Ladies committees apparently feel it unfair that a penalty drop would very often need to be taken. I agree with our C&R secā¦tough..just donāt hit your ball over there.
