SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
When asked about taking lateral relief (with a one shot penalty) when a player seems his ball unplayable, I say that what the player is doing is simply moving his ball to a position within two lengths of where it was at rest (reference pt). There is nothing in the rule for unplayable ball LR (19.2) that says the relief enables a stance to be taken (as opposed to situation when free relief is provided when the player stance comes into things).
The ball in the new position could still be unplayable, indeed the drop might have to be made into the same condition that made the ball unplayable in the first place, but that’s tough. The player can keep going taking further lateral relief drops (each with one shot penalty) until he determines that his ball is in a place from which he can take a stance and hit it.
Am I correct with my simple summary in bold. All lateral relief provides the player with is the opportunity to move his ball. Nothing else.
Of course the prospect of having to take multiple successive drops should make any player consider his other two relief options (three in a bunker)
The ball in the new position could still be unplayable, indeed the drop might have to be made into the same condition that made the ball unplayable in the first place, but that’s tough. The player can keep going taking further lateral relief drops (each with one shot penalty) until he determines that his ball is in a place from which he can take a stance and hit it.
Am I correct with my simple summary in bold. All lateral relief provides the player with is the opportunity to move his ball. Nothing else.
Of course the prospect of having to take multiple successive drops should make any player consider his other two relief options (three in a bunker)