Not Being Able to Move a Stake Marking a Penalty Area

[mikejohnchapman]

Had a situation today playing under the Covid protocol. Ball was driven and finished just inside a penalty area (lake). Ball was playable to hack it out but it was near a red post defining the PA. Under normal circumstances the post could be removed, the shot played and the post returned. However, currently you can't touch the post so relief can be taken as it clearly interfered with the backswing of the intended shot (really not some silly attempt at relief).

The question was could relief be taken outside the PA as it was within 1 club length of where the ball lay? I know the reverse is true but wasn't sure it you ever got a drop outside a PA without penalty.

 

[doublebogey7]

Sorry but you do not get relief from an immovable obstruction when your ball lies in a penalty area.

 

[Colin L]

Unfortunately you seem to be caught out here. You can remove a movable obstruction like a stake when your ball is in a penalty area but I take it you are saying, as seems reasonable, that if you are prohibited by Covid regs from moving the stake, it is thus an immovable obstruction. But you don't get relief from an immovable obstruction when your ball is in a penalty area. You'll have to put up with playing the ball with the stake in situ or take normal relief from the penalty area at the cost of a stroke.

 

[rulie]

Very minor addition, "But you don't get relief from an immovable obstruction when your ball is in a penalty area. You'll have to put up with playing the ball with the stake in situ or take normal relief from the penalty area at the cost of a stroke.

 

[mikejohnchapman]

Thanks - it was as I thought that relief couldn't be taken - the definition explains it.

 

[rulefan]

Had a situation today playing under the Covid protocol. Ball was driven and finished just inside a penalty area (lake). Ball was playable to hack it out but it was near a red post defining the PA. Under normal circumstances the post could be removed, the shot played and the post returned. However, currently you can't touch the post so relief can be taken as it clearly interfered with the backswing of the intended shot (really not some silly attempt at relief).

The question was could relief be taken outside the PA as it was within 1 club length of where the ball lay? I know the reverse is true but wasn't sure it you ever got a drop outside a PA without penalty.

In fact there are many courses where stakes are deemed to be immovable obstructions regardless of the Covid situation. This is because when the stakes are moved they are often not replaced correctly (if at all). We have a one hole alongside the river where steel stakes are concreted in because when the river is in flood, large pieces of debris (eg tree trunks) get washed down and destroyed or washed away the wooden stakes.