OOB White Stakes surrounding GK's sheds.

[Cliomorgan]

Our greenkeeper's sheds and machinery are actually sited within the course, one hole's fairway runs down the front of the area with another running along the side and back.
White Stakes surround the whole of the Greenkeeper's yard.

Some members say that there is no relief from the white stakes and they cannot be removed whilst others say that they are internal OOB markers, therefore can either be removed or classed as immovable obstructions.

I always thought that internal OOB markers were put in place to stop players purposely taking a 'route' that could prove dangerous to others on the course......this leads me to believe that they cannot be removed/are not immovable obstructions.

Is anybody able to clarify one way or the othe?

 

[Dutch Boy]

White stakes normally indicate Out of Bounds and this would need to be confirmed by your Committee.
As OB Stakes they are immovable obstruction with no free relief.
If a ball is at rest in the OB Area the only option is Stroke and Distance.
All info is in the R & A App https://www.randa.org/rog/the-rules-of-golf

 

[salfordlad]

The Club/Committee is responsible for marking the course, including advising the status of the greenkeeper's yard and how it is marked and for posting related guidance in the form of local rules. Most commonly, those white stakes will be OOB markers but that should be affirmed by checking the local rules. Assuming so, the stakes are boundary objects and may not be moved unless those stakes have been defined under MLR A-6 as obstructions (movable or immovable) and the OOB defined in some other way.

And to add: this would not be something defined as internal OOB, that is a situation where part of the playing area is in play for certain holes but defined as OOB while playing another hole. It makes no sense to define a greenkeeper's yard that way.

 

[jim8flog]

It is in The definitions

Boundary Object Artificial objects defining or showing out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings, from which free relief is not allowed.

This includes any base and post of a boundary fence, but does not include:• Angled supports or guy wires that are attached to a wall or fence, or• Any gate, steps, bridge or similar construction used for getting over or through the wall or fence.

Boundary objects are treated as immovable even if they are movable or any part of them is movable (see Rule 8.1a).

Boundary objects are not obstructions or integral objects

 

[Cliomorgan]

The Club/Committee is responsible for marking the course, including advising the status of the greenkeeper's yard and how it is marked and for posting related guidance in the form of local rules. Most commonly, those white stakes will be OOB markers but that should be affirmed by checking the local rules. Assuming so, the stakes are boundary objects and may not be moved unless those stakes have been defined under MLR A-6 as obstructions (movable or immovable) and the OOB defined in some other way.

And to add: this would not be something defined as internal OOB, that is a situation where part of the playing area is in play for certain holes but defined as OOB while playing another hole. It makes no sense to define a greenkeeper's yard that way.

Many thanks for replying, our local rule states: OOB "within the Greenkeeper's marked area".....................therefore classed as boundary.

 

[Cliomorgan]

It is in The definitions

Boundary Object Artificial objects defining or showing out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings, from which free relief is not allowed.

This includes any base and post of a boundary fence, but does not include:• Angled supports or guy wires that are attached to a wall or fence, or• Any gate, steps, bridge or similar construction used for getting over or through the wall or fence.

Boundary objects are treated as immovable even if they are movable or any part of them is movable (see Rule 8.1a).

Boundary objects are not obstructions or integral objects

Unfortunately the definitions do not clarify the situation regarding the whole of the greenkeeper's area. Salfordlad has given the clarification needed.

 

[doublebogey7]

White stakes normally indicate Out of Bounds and this would need to be confirmed by your Committee.
As OB Stakes they are immovable obstruction with no free relief.
If a ball is at rest in the OB Area the only option is Stroke and Distance.
All info is in the R & A App https://www.randa.org/rog/the-rules-of-golf

They are boundary objects and not immoveable obstructions. If an IO relief would be available.

 

[Cliomorgan]

They are boundary objects and not immoveable obstructions. If an IO relief would be available.

You are correct..............Boundary OOB stakes are definitely not immovable obstructions.