Local Rule - poor wording

[ManinBlack]

We came across a problem we couldn't agree on today. Recently the club installed wooden steps into some of the bunkers and introduced a local rule which says "Wooden steps in bunkers Rule 24-2 (ii) applies"

This is what we had today:



Is the ball on a wooden step "in the bunker"? It's on a wooden step but appears to be outside of the confines of the bunker.

I think the local rule needs to read "All wooden steps into bunkers are an integral part of the bunker. In this case, interpreting the rule literally, the ball isn't in the bunker and no relief is available.

Just shows how careful you have to be when drafting local rules.

This was just a friendly game, but how would you have called it?

 

[backwoodsman]

I'd say that ball was outside the bunker and therefor normal relief for immovable obstruction under 24-2b(i) applies.

Depends what the local rule is actually for? I wouldn't think an LR was needed? The steps are by definition an immovable obstruction and a ball is either inside or outside the bunker. So don't see why a local rule - 24-2b (i) and 24-2b(ii) cover what's needed . Don't they?

Now sit back and await the experts to put me right

 

[rulefan]

Depending on whether the ball/steps are in or out of the bunker, the relief options are significantly different.

It would be sensible of the committee to make the status of the steps clear by Local Rule.

Declaring the steps to be outside the bunker possibly gives the player an undeserved bonus of dropping outside when he is manifestly 'in a hazardous area and in trouble'.

I think that the steps in the infamous bunkers at Ganton and Woodhall Spa are integral parts of the course but I haven't got their local rules to hand. I will find out.

 

[palindromicbob]

Like yourself I fail to see how these steps are in the bunker anyway!


As it stands the local rule appears to modify the rules in this case.

 

[backwoodsman]

Like yourself I fail to see how these steps are in the bunker anyway!


Would be better worded to deem that all steps into bunkers are classed as part of the bunker.

But if you do that, are you not creating some difficulty? Eg, if the ball is resting on the "top" step, is it not likely there's no NPR that is in the bunker but not nearer the hole. Which would give no relief - except with a penalty

 

[Region3]

Completely irrelevant but it looks like the step only takes you down about 3". Hardly any need for it/them at all?

 

[palindromicbob]

But if you do that, are you not creating some difficulty? Eg, if the ball is resting on the "top" step, is it not likely there's no NPR that is in the bunker but not nearer the hole. Which would give no relief - except with a penalty

Lol quoted while I was editing. After a little reading I don't think it would be possible to say the steps are part of the bunker as they would fail to meet the definition of a bunker. Only option available is to declare them integral and offer no free relief.

The example you give would simply be rub of the green. There are situations where it simply isn't possible to make use of the available options for relief. Such as options B and C under rule 28.

 

[ManinBlack]

But if you do that, are you not creating some difficulty? Eg, if the ball is resting on the "top" step, is it not likely there's no NPR that is in the bunker but not nearer the hole. Which would give no relief - except with a penalty

That's an excellent point. I think that, rather than making it a local rule, the committee should have simply reminded members that, under the rules, the steps are "immovable obstructions".

 

[ManinBlack]

Completely irrelevant but it looks like the step only takes you down about 3". Hardly any need for it/them at all?

That point of view is held by many members, including me. They're all like that, totally unnecessary.

 

[palindromicbob]

http://www.barryrhodes.com/2014/03/golf-ball-at-rest-on-or-near-bunker.html


The only truely valid LR option I can see would be the committee declaring the steps as integral parts of the course removing all free relief options and annoying the members.

Otherwise let the rules deal with it themselves and just provide a little education to the membership.

Are the steps simply there for health & safety reasons by any chance?

 

[ManinBlack]

http://www.barryrhodes.com/2014/03/golf-ball-at-rest-on-or-near-bunker.html


The only truely valid LR option I can see would be the committee declaring the steps as integral parts of the course removing all free relief options and annoying the members.



Otherwise let the rules deal with it themselves and just provide a little education to the membership.

Are the steps simply there for health & safety reasons by any chance?

I agree with para 2 and I think para 3 is correct.

 

[backwoodsman]

I think I refer everyone back to my post at #2. The rules already take care of things. Possibly the only clarity necessary is to say which part of the steps are in and which are out of the bunker. Although the margin of the hazard either side is pretty clear anyway.

 

[ManinBlack]

I think I refer everyone back to my post at #2. The rules already take care of things. Possibly the only clarity necessary is to say which part of the steps are in and which are out of the bunker. Although the margin of the hazard either side is pretty clear anyway.

I think you nailed it in post #2. If there is going to be a local it should simply say that wooden steps are immovable obstructions & members should be reminder that rule 24-2, not 24-2(ii), applies and that parts of the steps can be inside or outside of the bunker.