PA at the end of a blind shot

[tobybarker]

we have a red PA (small drainage ditch) in a small valley across the fairway. Its a blind shot into the valley from the tee. If you drive into the valley there are plenty of other places the ball could be (rough on the far side of the PA for example, or gorse etc). Therefore KVC is hard to ascertain. We get a lot of arguments ("well, its bound to be in the ditch, I just cant see it....blah blah"). Is this a dodgy course setup, and of so, what might be done about it?

 

[Neilds]

Is it possible to put a viewing platform in so players can watch each others shots? Or like we had to do yesterday, walk forward a bit to watch down into the valley? The club had put a net up at the start of the drop, about 40 yards in front of the tee so someone could be safe as they watched the tee shots. The hole had a stream at the far extent of the landing area and also other dodgy areas where a ball could go.

 

[tobybarker]

Ladder not feadible

 

[Neilds]

If a ladder is not feasible then I feel it is down to the players themselves to get in a position where they can see where each others balls land. If they don't do this then they (imo) have no grounds to claim they are 95% certain the ball is on the ditch.

 

[rulefan]

If they don't do this then they (imo) have no grounds to claim they are 95% certain the ball is on the ditch.

Exactly

 

[IanM]

If feasible, stick a big pipe in the ditch for drainage, fill in the ditch and grass over it. Get rid of the penalty area altogether.

I played something similar ( are you in South Wales?) and it was a right mess. We didn't even know it was there as it was a first visit.

"Oh, it must be in the ditch!"

"Really, how do you know?"

 

[tobybarker]

No. Not south wales. Good idea about the tube in the long term.... Sh

 

[Neilds]

Just had another thought, disregarding the PA, are players teeing off blind or just relying on a bell?

 

[tobybarker]

Blind, though it's obvious if the previous group have passed through as you can see them on the other side of the ravine

 

[Colin L]

we have a red PA (small drainage ditch) in a small valley across the fairway. Its a blind shot into the valley from the tee. If you drive into the valley there are plenty of other places the ball could be (rough on the far side of the PA for example, or gorse etc). Therefore KVC is hard to ascertain. We get a lot of arguments ("well, its bound to be in the ditch, I just cant see it....blah blah"). Is this a dodgy course setup, and of so, what might be done about it?

It sounds as if you just have to put up with the obvious: with a blind shot into an area with a small PA and plenty of other stuff where a ball might be lost, you just cannot have KVC that your ball is in the ditch unless you find it in it. The arguments are a waste of time.

 

[tobybarker]

True, though too many people will just assume it's in the gur and take the relief