Immovable obstruction?

[turkish]

A fence runs down the right hand side of the hole for the full length. Over the fence is out of bounds.

Our ball goes close to oob but stops in bounds on a non coloured wooden fence stake. It is actually touching the stake. Because the fence meanders round the edge the stake is directly in front of direction of the green so if i were to hit the ball in direction of hole(although it would obviously ricochet back and probably put me in hospital) but means i could just about get a full backswing. A more reasonable shot should i decide to play it as it lies is playing side ways to get it onto fairway but as soon as i decide this shot my backswing is impeded.

As the fence is an immovable man made object should i get a free drop?

 

[rulefan]

I'm afraid not.

From the Definition of Out of Bounds.
Objects defining out of bounds such as walls, fences, stakes and railings are not obstructions and are deemed to be fixed. Stakes identifying out of bounds are not obstructions and are deemed to be fixed.

 

[Duckster]

I'm assuming you are talking about a similar situation to the one Phil Mickelson had at the Farmers last year. He didn't get a free drop either ;-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTZfS9T3WnI

 

[atticusfinch]

As the fence is an immovable man made object should i get a free drop?

Actually being man made is only part of the question. The question is: does it fit the definition of an obstruction? If it does you get relief. The definition of obstruction has the answer.

An "obstruction" is anything artificial, including the artificial surfaces and sides of roads and paths and manufactured ice, except:
a.
Objects defining out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings.