Part II. Artificial surface and net.

[backwoodsman]

Ok, part II.

A short way behind a green is an artificially surfaced path. The back edge of the path is bounded by a tall wood-panel fence - which is the course boundary. To protect the property just over the boundary, a tall net has recently been erected along the green-side edge of the path. (Forget the why's and wherefore's of why there - it had to be so...). The net stops most balls getting over the boundary, or onto the path. But not quite all. If a ball gets through onto the path, free relief is allowable (see Part I). Due to geography, for the most part, NPoR is nearly always green-side of the path, and therefore green-side of the net. So, take relief off the path, then if needs be, further relief from the net.

But.... Occasionally, in some few locations, geography means that NPoR for relief from the path is not green-side, but the other side. In these instances, you have a shot (at the green) but the net will interfere with the intended line (but not with ball/stance/swing). Is there any solution to this within the "normal' rules - or are we reliant on a suitably worded local rule? (Or do we just take the hard line and insist people play a couple of shots to get round the net )

 

[nickjdavis]

When you say "you have a shot (at the green)" ....do you mean that you can drop the ball in a position where you can hit the ball OVER the net to the green? Or is it just that you can play a stroke towards the green if you want, but there's no way you can get over the net?

To my mind if you are in a position where you cannot take relief from the path in such a way that you have the space to play over the net, then you would be best served by a local rule and a drop zone.

We are not at Southend beach front trying to get the ball past the windmill and through the clowns mouth before we can see the hole....that's a different game altogether.

 

[jim8flog]

Where such nets interfere with normal play a drop zone is allowable.

I cannot find a specific reference in the new rules book but it is probably there somewhere.

 

[wjemather]

Seems obvious that the committee need to create an appropriate local rule and one or more drop zones.

 

[Pants]

1st by any chance? (Is the house still owened by one of the Sainsbury clan?)

 

[backwoodsman]

When you say "you have a shot (at the green)" ....do you mean that you can drop the ball in a position where you can hit the ball OVER the net to the green? Or is it just that you can play a stroke towards the green if you want, but there's no way you can get over the net?

To my mind if you are in a position where you cannot take relief from the path in such a way that you have the space to play over the net, then you would be best served by a local rule and a drop zone.

We are not at Southend beach front trying to get the ball past the windmill and through the clowns mouth before we can see the hole....that's a different game altogether.

No, you'd not be able to get over the net after taking a drop - you'll only be about 3m away from it and it's 5m high. Yes, local rule seems sensible but just wondering if the regular rules allowed any leeway.

 

[backwoodsman]

1st by any chance? (Is the house still owened by one of the Sainsbury clan?)

View attachment 42873

Indeed it is the 1st.

And no, no longer in Sainsbury ownership. Changed hands after Lady Sainsbury passed away

 

[Steven Rules]

Ok, part II.

A short way behind a green is an artificially surfaced path. The back edge of the path is bounded by a tall wood-panel fence - which is the course boundary. To protect the property just over the boundary, a tall net has recently been erected along the green-side edge of the path. (Forget the why's and wherefore's of why there - it had to be so...). The net stops most balls getting over the boundary, or onto the path. But not quite all. If a ball gets through onto the path, free relief is allowable (see Part I). Due to geography, for the most part, NPoR is nearly always green-side of the path, and therefore green-side of the net. So, take relief off the path, then if needs be, further relief from the net.

But.... Occasionally, in some few locations, geography means that NPoR for relief from the path is not green-side, but the other side. In these instances, you have a shot (at the green) but the net will interfere with the intended line (but not with ball/stance/swing). Is there any solution to this within the "normal' rules - or are we reliant on a suitably worded local rule? (Or do we just take the hard line and insist people play a couple of shots to get round the net )

Free line of play relief from an immovable obstruction (or any abnormal course condition) is not available under the Rules unless the ball is on the putting green. (Rule 16.1a(1))

In order to have free line of play relief from an immovable obstruction other than when the ball is on the putting green there needs to be a local rule in force. Model Local Rules E-6 and F-5 are commonly used for their respective situations. It would not be uncommon to use a dropping zone in conjunction with E-6 for this net scenario.

 

[rulefan]

As it happens we have such a fence protecting walkers crossing the course on a public right of may. Some years ago the R&A recommended what is now E-6 having agreed a TIO was inappropriate.

 

[Colin L]

This is getting complicated, potentially time consuming and heavy on additional words to your local rules, perhaps making a shift of the boundary more attractive? There may, however, be local reasons for that not being viable.