Internal Safety fences

[dazlight]

Not sure on the rules for this one so wondering if anyone can help. On our 9 hole course there is 2 internal protection fences. I know you get free relief from them if it affects your swing. But what about line of sight? My mate before had the fence in his line of sight between him and the green. So he took a free drop on the other side so he could go for the green. Is that correct ?

 

[Colin L]

Not sure on the rules for this one so wondering if anyone can help. On our 9 hole course there is 2 internal protection fences. I know you get free relief from them if it affects your swing. But what about line of sight? My mate before had the fence in his line of sight between him and the green. So he took a free drop on the other side so he could go for the green. Is that correct ?

There's no relief for intervention on the line of play unless there is a local rule permitting it - which is permissible. See Model Local Rule E-6

The R&A

The R&A seeks to engage in and support activities for the benefit of the sport of golf from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

www.randa.org

 

[Steven Rules]

Exactly as Colin has said.

But just to let you know the specific Rule that says free line of play relief is not allowed from the fence (an abnormal course condition) in this situation:

16.1a
When Relief Is Allowed
(1) Meaning of Interference by Abnormal Course Condition. Interference exists when any one of these is true:
*The player’s ball touches or is in or on an abnormal course condition,
*An abnormal course condition physically interferes with the player’s area of intended stance or area of intended swing, or
*Only when the ball is on the putting green, an abnormal course condition on or off the putting green intervenes on the line of play.

 

[dazlight]

That’s the scorecard

 

[williamalex1]

Surely it would be the same as overhead cables, replay if you hit them?

 

[rulefan]

Surely it would be the same as overhead cables, replay if you hit them?

That is a different and specific Local Rule.

However, many years ago we were given permission by the R&A to make a line of site LR from a safety fence to protect members of the public crossing the course on a public right of way. We provided a DZ for those wishing to take relief.

 

[2blue]

That is a different and specific Local Rule.

However, many years ago we were given permission by the R&A to make a line of site LR from a safety fence to protect members of the public crossing the course on a public right of way. We provided a DZ for those wishing to take relief.

I guess that's the one at Wetherby's 1st, Sir!!

 

[Colin L]

That’s the scorecard

2. does not give you relief for intervention on line of play and is unnecessary anyway since the fence is an immovable obstruction by definition.

(3. by the way isn't allowable)

 

[rulefan]

I guess that's the one at Wetherby's 1st, Sir!!

You've played it?

 

[2blue]

You've played it?

Many times over the years.... & 4 occasions this year.

 

[berniethebolt]

2. does not give you relief for intervention on line of play and is unnecessary anyway since the fence is an immovable obstruction by definition.

(3. by the way isn't allowable)

In what way is 3 not allowable?

 

[rulefan]

However, many years ago we were given permission by the R&A to make a line of site LR from a safety fence to protect members of the public crossing the course on a public right of way. We provided a DZ for those wishing to take relief.

I should have made it clear that MLR E-6 was not available at the time but the R&A accepted that it was a good H&S concept and approved it after some discussions.

 

[Colin L]

In what way is 3 not allowable?

See the clarification to Ground Under Repair in the Definitions which tells us that a rut made by a tractor is not GUR by default. The Committee is allowed to define deep ruts as GUR but "tractor marks" could mean just flattened grass or a shallow indentation not necessarily a deep rut.
See Clarification

 

[berniethebolt]

See the clarification to Ground Under Repair in the Definitions which tells us that a rut made by a tractor is not GUR by default. The Committee is allowed to define deep ruts as GUR but "tractor marks" could mean just flattened grass or a shallow indentation not necessarily a deep rut.
See Clarification

Thank you. I suppose the definition as to what makes a rut "deep" is a matter of opinion!

 

[rulie]

Thank you. I suppose the definition as to what makes a rut "deep" is a matter of opinion!

And a player's opinion is often different than a referee's opinion. It's the latter that counts.

 

[berniethebolt]

And a player's opinion is often different than a referee's opinion. It's the latter that counts.

Yes but what about the 99% of cases when there is no referee!!

 

[rulie]

Yes but what about the 99% of cases when there is no referee!!

As a referee, my rule of thumb is that if you can get the club on the back of the ball, there is no free relief. Other referee's opinions may vary.

 

[Colin L]

Thank you. I suppose the definition as to what makes a rut "deep" is a matter of opinion!

Not if you take the trouble to define it in the local rule. For example:

A rut is considered deep if a ball is lying in it and your clubhead is prevented from connecting with it or following through by the edge of the rut or, if you have to stand in it, you cannot take a balanced stance. You do not get relief from wheel marks that are just minor irregularites on the surface of the ground even if it is muddy.

 

[berniethebolt]

Fair enough.