Frozen worm cast

[effayjay]

If a worm cast in frozen on the ground does it become "fixed" and therefore not a "loose impediment?

 

[rulefan]

IMO yes.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

IMO yes.

But if the ground then thawed during the day would it revert to a "loose impediment" surely the status of the worm cast shoukd be consistent for all players on that day?
Just asking, nothing to base my question on, just intrigued.

 

[Crow]

IMO yes.

Would you then be able to take relief from it?

 

[duncan mackie]

Would you then be able to take relief from it?

I think what rulefan is saying is that if the worm cast is frozen to the ground then it is no longer a LI, and therefore you aren't permitted to remove it.

Frozen, but not frozen to the ground, then it's a LI (as defined) and you are permitted to remove it.

This would also be my interpretation. No doubt he will.clarify.

There's no relief per second from LIs other than being permitted to remove them (if you can do so without moving the ball).

 

[Crow]

I think what rulefan is saying is that if the worm cast is frozen to the ground then it is no longer a LI, and therefore you aren't permitted to remove it.

Frozen, but not frozen to the ground, then it's a LI (as defined) and you are permitted to remove it.

This would also be my interpretation. No doubt he will.clarify.

There's no relief per second from LIs other than being permitted to remove them (if you can do so without moving the ball).

I was thinking that as a worm cast is a loose impediment rather than a cast, molehill or similar made by a burrowing animal, if it became fixed by being frozen to the ground, would its status change to that of a cast left by a burrowing animal and therefore relief would be available?
I'm thinking primarily of on the green.

 

[rulefan]

Duncan
No doubt he will.clarify

Exactly

surely the status of the worm cast shoukd be consistent for all players on that day?

Really no different to a stone that is on the surface but then firmly trodden into the ground by a passing green keeper. A LI one minute but not the next.

 

[rulefan]

I was thinking that as a worm cast is a loose impediment rather than a cast, molehill or similar made by a burrowing animal, if it became fixed by being frozen to the ground, would its status change to that of a cast left by a burrowing animal and therefore relief would be available?
I'm thinking primarily of on the green.

No. A “burrowing animal” is an animal (other than a worm, insect or the like)