Movable Obstruction in Water Hazard

[cliveb]

Today my tee shot ended in a ditch (yellow staked water hazard). Since the ditch was fairly dry, I decided to play out of it. Right next to my ball in the ditch there was an old broken ball which would impede my swing.

I decided that this old broken ball was a movable obstruction and so removed it (ie. not a loose impediment, which I know cannot be moved in a hazard). But I just wanted to confirm for sure that it was OK to do so.

 

[atticusfinch]

[h=2]24-1/2[/h] [h=4]Abandoned Ball[/h]Q.A player's ball comes to rest against an abandoned ball. What is the procedure?

A.An abandoned ball is a movable obstruction. The player may remove it under Rule 24-1.

 

[Old Skier]

24-1/2

Abandoned Ball

Q.A player's ball comes to rest against an abandoned ball. What is the procedure?

A.An abandoned ball is a movable obstruction. The player may remove it under Rule 24-1.

But it was in a hazard so I believe that your ruling only applies outside of the hazard so tough you were wrong to move it

 

[HawkeyeMS]

But it was in a hazard so I believe that your ruling only applies outside of the hazard so tough you were wrong to move it

If an abandoned ball is a movable obstruction then you are entitled to move it wherever you are on the course.

Interestingly, while it appears you can move a movable obstruction when in a hazard (the rule as far as I can see doesn't specifically mention water hazards or distinguish between water hazards and bunkers), you can't take relief from an immovable obstruction when in a water hazard but you can in a bunker.

 

[guest100718]

But it was in a hazard so I believe that your ruling only applies outside of the hazard so tough you were wrong to move it

nah he was fine

 

[rulefan]

24-1 tells you that you can remove a movable obstruction from anywhere.
24-2 tells you that you can't get relief for an immovable obstruction in a water hazard.
13-4 tells you that you can't remove a loose impediment in any hazard

 

[pogle]

24-1 tells you that you can remove a movable obstruction from anywhere.
24-2 tells you that you can't get relief for an immovable obstruction in a water hazard.
13-4 tells you that you can't remove a loose impediment in any hazard

24-2 tells you that you can't get relief from an immovable obstruction when your ball lies in a water hazard

 

[guest100718]

24-2 tells you that you can't get relief from an immovable obstruction when your ball lies in a water hazard

? that's what he said
...
..

 

[backwoodsman]

? that's what he said
...
..

Pedants corner. No, not quite ...

 

[guest100718]

Pedants corner. No, not quite ...

i saw the difference
just not sad.
.

 

[Old Skier]

Just to get this straight. Is an old ball in a hazard not classed as loose impediment?

 

[rulefan]

Just to get this straight. Is an old ball in a hazard not classed as loose impediment?

A stray ball is a movable obstruction, providing it can be moved. Loose impediments are natural objects, provided they are not solidly embedded.

 

[atticusfinch]

Waaaaa?

 

[rulefan]

What else could it be if it is not the player's ball in play or equipment?

 

[cliveb]

Thanks to all who have replied. I now have a follow-up question prompted by this statement:

24-2 tells you that you can't get relief from an immovable obstruction when your ball lies in a water hazard

On our course there is a pond (yellow stakes) and very close to it there's a bell (for letting people on the tee know it's ok to proceed).

Am I to understand that if my ball lies within the hazard (inside the yellow stakes but not actually in the pond itself) and I would like to play it as it lies, and my stance is affected by the bell, I wouldn't get relief?

 

[rulie]

Thanks to all who have replied. I now have a follow-up question prompted by this statement:


On our course there is a pond (yellow stakes) and very close to it there's a bell (for letting people on the tee know it's ok to proceed).

Am I to understand that if my ball lies within the hazard (inside the yellow stakes but not actually in the pond itself) and I would like to play it as it lies, and my stance is affected by the bell, I wouldn't get relief?

Yes, that is the correct understanding. Rule 24-2b starts "Except when a ball is in a water hazard or lateral water hazard, a player may take relief from interference by an immovable obstruction..."

 

[rulefan]

Thanks to all who have replied. I now have a follow-up question prompted by this statement:


On our course there is a pond (yellow stakes) and very close to it there's a bell (for letting people on the tee know it's ok to proceed).

Am I to understand that if my ball lies within the hazard (inside the yellow stakes but not actually in the pond itself) and I would like to play it as it lies, and my stance is affected by the bell, I wouldn't get relief?

Just to add to rulie's reply; the position or presence of water in a water hazard is irrelevant. The hazard is simply the area within the defined red or yellow margin.

I have assumed when you wrote 'pond' you meant the water.

 

[atticusfinch]

Responding to old skier.

 

[rulefan]

Responding to old skier.

Thank goodness. You had me worried.

 

[Old Skier]

A stray ball is a movable obstruction, providing it can be moved. Loose impediments are natural objects, provided they are not solidly embedded.

Under that statement you could count a discarded branch in a hazard the same way.