Immovable Obstruction or not?

[Jacee]

A player has a distance marker that interferes with his swing. The marker is a moveable obstruction and is lifted to clear the way. The player then "duffs" his shot and the ball trickles forward and down the hole left by the removed distance marker. Question: Is the hole left by removal of a moveable obstruction, in itself, an immovable obstruction giving the player free relief or is it just "tough luck" and the only option is to declare the ball unplayable under Rule 19.

 

[Colin L]

The Definition of ground under repair covers this situation by including Any hole made by the Committee or the maintenance staff in setting up the course (such as a hole where a stake has been removed)..... as GUR without its having to be defined as such in a Local Rule and so you get free relief.

 

[rulefan]

Is the hole lined? Was the marker in a manufactured socket?

PS Colin posted as I was going to add that.

 

[Jacee]

A player has a distance marker that interferes with his swing. The marker is a moveable obstruction and is lifted to clear the way. The player then "duffs" his shot and the ball trickles forward and down the hole left by the removed distance marker. Question: Is the hole left by removal of a moveable obstruction, in itself, an immovable obstruction giving the player free relief or is it just "tough luck" and the only option is to declare the ball unplayable under Rule 19.

Thanks for the swift answer … much appreciated.

 

[srixon 1]

A player has a distance marker that interferes with his swing. The marker is a moveable obstruction and is lifted to clear the way. The player then "duffs" his shot and the ball trickles forward and down the hole left by the removed distance marker. Question: Is the hole left by removal of a moveable obstruction, in itself, an immovable obstruction giving the player free relief or is it just "tough luck" and the only option is to declare the ball unplayable under Rule 19.

Were you asking for a “friend”? ? it still amazes me the places where we can actually manage to hit that little ball.

 

[Jacee]

No … I’m the Handicap Secretary and was posed the question after the incident happened in today’s monthly medal. Agree there is no end to where players can hit that little sphere!

 

[salfordlad]

Is the hole lined? Was the marker in a manufactured socket?

PS Colin posted as I was going to add that.

Would it not be 16.1 relief regardless of the answers?

 

[rulefan]

Would it not be 16.1 relief regardless of the answers?

Yes but he could have then taken direct relief from an IO without thinking about checking the small print of the GUR definition.

 

[Jacee]

The marker was in a manufactured socket to enable easy removal and accurate replacement.

 

[rulefan]

The marker was in a manufactured socket to enable easy removal and accurate replacement.

In that case the socket itself was an Immovable Obstruction in addition to being classified as GUR. The same rule gives free relief.

 

[salfordlad]

Yes but he could have then taken direct relief from an IO without thinking about checking the small print of the GUR definition.

Yes but he could have then taken direct relief from an IO without thinking about checking the small print of the GUR definition.

Subtle point above. The fine print is identical.