Internal OOB

[effayjay]

Two fairways adjacent to each other. There are no white stakes, ditches or walls to denote OOB but the card states that if a ball lands on the wrong fairway it is OOB. Is this OK?

 

[backwoodsman]

I'd say it would be permissible - but very poor practice. The definition of OOB says the edge should, rather than must, be defined by boundary objects -so the absence of posts, lines etc isn't in itself the issue. But just saying 'on the wrong fairway' defeats the presumed aim of having internal OOB - and is ambiguous. Whilst a 'wrong fairway' should be readily identifiable, a ball, say, just, a foot short of the 'wrong fairway' would still be in bounds - as indeed would be a ball that went beyond the far edge of the 'wrong fairway'. Far better to have a defined margin, beyond which all ground is OOB. (which of course, really is the issue of having internal OOB at all).

 

[jim8flog]

It is permissible particularly when it involves a health and safety issue such as players using the adjoining fairway deliberately to shorten a hole.

As per Backwoodsman - The club really should have OB stakes so there is a very clear point where a ball is and is not OB and it is permissible to say that they only apply to one hole and not the adjoining hole.

The advice has always been that the club should avoid having them and taking steps to remove their need e.g planting trees to deter players from taking that route.

 

[mikejohnchapman]

We have one of these that was not in the original design but was implemented when players aimed at the adjoining fairway to cut the corner.

We have a notice on the 6th tee and white stakes along the hole but visitors often play off the wrong fairway by "mistake".

Playing the 12th hole back towards the 6th tee there is no OOB between the holes so the stakes are painted green on the side facing the 12th fairway.

We tried to say the 12th fairway was OOB from the 6th tee and remove the stakes but this really didn't work as people then tried to drive through the 12th fairway to get into the general area short of the fairway.

 

[williamalex1]

We have 2 internal OOBs for safety reasons, 1 marked with white stakes the other white stakes and a shallow ditch.

 

[rulie]

Agree that the wording is difficult and it should be marked in some definite way - stakes, lines or other.
Further confusion, if a ball "lands on the other fairway" and rolls off the fairway, is it in bounds or out of bounds?

 

[rulefan]

Two fairways adjacent to each other. There are no white stakes, ditches or walls to denote OOB but the card states that if a ball lands on the wrong fairway it is OOB. Is this OK?

Does the 'fairway' mean the closely mown area or does it include the 'rough' on (both sides of) the other fairway?

 

[effayjay]

Does the 'fairway' mean the closely mown area or does it include the 'rough' on (both sides of) the other fairway?

The former.

 

[rulefan]

The former.

So if it is hit into the 'far rough' or a bunker it is not OB.
Is there a very clear demarcation? Especially in the winter.

 

[effayjay]

So if it is hit into the 'far rough' or a bunker it is not OB.
Is there a very clear demarcation? Especially in the winter.

It’s reasonable and, on balance, will probably be at least as accurate an indicator as looking between 2 posts 30 yards apart.

 

[effayjay]

So if it is hit into the 'far rough' or a bunker it is not OB.
Is there a very clear demarcation? Especially in the winter.

Sorry missed the first bit, I assume so.

 

[DickInShorts]

It’s reasonable and, on balance, will probably be at least as accurate an indicator as looking between 2 posts 30 yards apart.

Lining up between 2 posts - even 30 yards apart - is easy. Often determining fairway from rough is not!