Relief for safety

[VVega]

Is there a rule allowing relief if playing the ball as it lies would raise a concern to player’s personal safety?

An exotic example would be a ball at rest near a dangerous animal and a more common example would be a very steep bunker face.

I searched the rules app but couldn’t find anything relevant.

 

[Slab]

I seem to remember reading something about the former (in your examples) but definitely wouldn't cover the latter (you don't have to play the ball 'towards' a bunker face)
Can't recall what the dangerous animal bit was under but might have a quick look...


edit: dangerous animal relief


No relief for other situations/conditions (see last line)

 

[louise_a]

rule 16.2b covers dangerous animals

 

[jim8flog]

16.2 Dangerous Animal Condition16.2a

When Relief Is Allowed A “dangerous animal condition” exists when a dangerous animal (such as venomous snakes, stinging bees, alligators, fire ants or bears) near a ball could cause serious physical injury to the player if they had to play the ball as it lies. A player may take relief under Rule 16.2b from interference by a dangerous animal condition no matter where their ball is on the course.

This Rule does not apply to other situations on the course that could cause physical harm (such as a cactus).

 

[VVega]

Thank you for replies. We had a stipulation that a player can take a relief under the rules if they consider that taking the shot is compromising their personal safety (in response to someone saying that the current condition of the area is dangerous).

To clarify, in the example a player would be standing on a very steep face of a deep bunker. So they can easily slip and fall in attempting the shot.

 

[Orikoru]

Like this?

 

[nickjdavis]

Thank you for replies. We had a stipulation that a player can take a relief under the rules if they consider that taking the shot is compromising their personal safety (in response to someone saying that the current condition of the area is dangerous).

To clarify, in the example a player would be standing on a very steep face of a deep bunker. So they can easily slip and fall in attempting the shot.

Surely that is covered by an unplayable ball situation?

Its no different to finding your ball wedged in between some tree roots and not wanting to play it in case you hurt your wrists.

 

[VVega]

Surely that is covered by an unplayable ball situation?

Its no different to finding your ball wedged in between some tree roots and not wanting to play it in case you hurt your wrists.

I agree, hence asking the question if there is some "magic" rule I missed...

 

[Colin L]

Surely that is covered by an unplayable ball situation?

Its no different to finding your ball wedged in between some tree roots and not wanting to play it in case you hurt your wrists.

Precisely. In addition to unplayable ball relief there is also the option of stroke and distance. In neither case is it required that you retrieve your ball.

And to add to general knowledge*, I assume in recognition of the impossibility of or danger from getting in and out of a bunker, a disabled golfer using a wheeled mobility device whose ball is in a bunker is allowed back on the line relief outside the bunker with a penalty of only one stroke instead of two (25.4m). In the general area they are allowed four club lengths for lateral relief from an unplayable ball (25.4n)

*Apologies to those who already know.

 

[nickjdavis]

Precisely. In addition to unplayable ball relief there is also the option of stroke and distance. In neither case is it required that you retrieve your ball.

And to add to general knowledge*, I assume in recognition of the impossibility of or danger from getting in and out of a bunker, a disabled golfer using a wheeled mobility device whose ball is in a bunker is allowed back on the line relief outside the bunker with a penalty of only one stroke instead of two (25.4m). In the general area they are allowed four club lengths for lateral relief from an unplayable ball (25.4n)

*Apologies to those who already know.

I certainly didnt know this.

We have a coupe of guys who use a wheeled mobility device but this is only because they struggle to walk the 18 holes. The devices they use are of the stand up and steer sort of thing (a bit like a 4 wheeled kids scooter). They certainly do not have a disability that prevents them from accessing bunkers or walking medium distances, no trouble with stairs etc etc ( a bit slow getting to the bar sometimes maybe ). On the flip side i guess they are "less" able so some would reword that as "dis" abled.

Just because a person uses such a mobility device, to my mind doesn't automatically mean that the relaxed conditions you highlighted should automatically apply to them. I'm guessing there must be greater definition of "disabled" that dictates when such actions are allowable....it cant simply be because they have dispensation to use a mobility device to help them get around the course.

I assume this is covered in the Offical Guide....seems like I need to update my copy as mine only goes up to Rule 24.

 

[rulefan]

Rule 25 - Modifications for Players with Disabilities​

https://www.usga.org/rules/rules-and-clarifications/rules-and-clarifications.html#!ruletype=fr&section=rule&rulenum=25

 

[Colin L]

In addition to Rule 25, referenced above, Section 5D of Committee Procedures deals with eligibility to play under that Rule.

 

[nickjdavis]

Rule 25 - Modifications for Players with Disabilities​

https://www.usga.org/rules/rules-and-clarifications/rules-and-clarifications.html#!ruletype=fr&section=rule&rulenum=25

Ok...so that links to 5D which provides a little bit of clarity as to how/when rule 25 should be allowed to be used...

5D Eligibility Requirements for Players with Disabilities to use Rule 25​

As provided in Rule 25.1, the modified Rules for players with disabilities apply to all competitions, and it is a player’s category of disability and eligibility that determine whether they can use specific modified Rules in Rule 25.

It is not necessarily the role of a Committee to make assessments on player eligibility. Determining a player’s eligibility to use specific Rules in Rule 25 can be straightforward, but in some cases it is less obvious. Eligibility for Rule 25 is based on the impact that a player’s impairments have on their ability to play golf rather than being a determination of whether someone is disabled.

A Committee may ask for evidence of a player’s disability in order to confirm the eligibility of a player to use Rule 25. Such evidence could be in the form of a medical certificate, confirmation from a national governing body, a pass issued by an officially accredited medical authority, or something similar.

 

[nickjdavis]

In addition to Rule 25, referenced above, Section 5D of Committee Procedures deals with eligibility to play under that Rule.

Ha!!! just found it and posted at the same time!!

 

[jim8flog]

Thank you for replies. We had a stipulation that a player can take a relief under the rules if they consider that taking the shot is compromising their personal safety (in response to someone saying that the current condition of the area is dangerous).

To clarify, in the example a player would be standing on a very steep face of a deep bunker. So they can easily slip and fall in attempting the shot.

Sounds like a local rule which would not be allowable.

I once tried to get a LR for relief for Giant Hog Weed but the R&A would not allow it.

 

[rulie]

Relief is always available - unplayable or stroke and distance. Just no "free" relief.

 

[AussieKB]

Have taken relief twice because of danger, once at Barton on Sea where the course was close to the cliff face and it was falling into the sea, think they built new holes further in land since then.

Second time was in Thailand when there was a wasp nest over my ball, luckily my caddy forewarned me.