Relief From Tractor Marks

[Mr Fastidious]

Having just played a doubles competition one of my opponents asked for relief from grass that had been flatten by a 4 wheel vehicle, the vehicle had traveled from one fairway across to another so it was unlikely to be a golf cart and more likely to have been a ground keepers vehicle, the ground wasn't damaged but the grass had been flatten and he had a terrible lie.
Personally I didn't feel he was entitled to relief but it wasn't the Ryder Cup so I agreed.

Trying to find the ruling and I'm reading it as Tractor Marks are not entitled to a free drop unless marked as GUR, so flatten grass is definitely not covered!

I always believed you was entitled to relief from tractor marks, am i reading it wrong?

Adam

 

[backwoodsman]

You are correct in thinking that free relief was not available. Tractor marks are not ground under repair unless they are specifically identified/marked as such.

 

[rulie]

You are correct in thinking that free relief was not available. Tractor marks are not ground under repair unless they are specifically identified/marked as such.

Agree - there is no automatic free relief from tractor marks or tractor ruts. If a player has doubts whether or not relief would be available in stroke play, he or she can play two balls, one taking relief, one not taking relief, report to the Committee in charge and ask them to decide whether relief was available.
Further, players are not referees and do not have authority or responsibility to grant or deny relief to other players. If your opponent (match play) feels he or she is entitled to free relief, they can take free relief. If you disagree, you need to tell them and then ask the Committee for a ruling later.

 

[badgergm]

This is a very common misconception at my club. I’d estimate > 90% at our place would take relief from a bad tractor mark.

 

[KenL]

Think you need a local rule in place to gain free relief.

 

[chrisd]

This is a very common misconception at my club. I’d estimate > 90% at our place would take relief from a bad tractor mark.

And thereby lies the problem - what level of mark is "bad" enough, it all becomes a judgement matter and therefore almost impossible to manage?

 

[rulefan]

Think you need a local rule in place to gain free relief.

No 'think' about it. You do.

 

[backwoodsman]

No 'think' about it. You do.

Interesting? Interested to know why the "committee" can't just get a bucket of paint (as it were) and mark it as GUR?
What am I missing ?

 

[rulefan]

Interesting? Interested to know why the "committee" can't just get a bucket of paint (as it were) and mark it as GUR?
What am I missing ?

Nothing. That would be considered 'defining'.

Ground Under Repair
Any part of the course the Committee defines to be ground under repair (whether by marking it or otherwise).

 

[mikejohnchapman]

Interesting? Interested to know why the "committee" can't just get a bucket of paint (as it were) and mark it as GUR?
What am I missing ?

It's winter and it rains - lines get washed away.

 

[jim8flog]

It's winter and it rains - lines get washed away.

it is winter and rains and the tractor ruts get filled with water so you get relief for abnormal ground condition (temporary water).

 

[2blue]

Interesting? Interested to know why the "committee" can't just get a bucket of paint (as it were) and mark it as GUR?
What am I missing ?

'The Committee' define it.... the grounds staff mark it....... mind you, nobody would get anything else done if they had to define the 'tractor marks' everytime they drove anywhere. We have a local rule to deal with it, simples

 

[Colin L]

'The Committee' define it.... the grounds staff mark it....... mind you, nobody would get anything else done if they had to define the 'tractor marks' everytime they drove anywhere. We have a local rule to deal with it, simples[/QUOTE

Exactly. I think it best to keep to a minimum of white lining around a course. This condition is an easy one to identify with a few words and it isn't too difficult to come up with some sort of definition of one. This is ours:

A rut is considered deep if your ball is lying in it and your clubhead cannot connect with it or follow through without interference from an edge of the rut or, if you have to stand on it, you cannot take a normal balanced stance.

 

[backwoodsman]

I get that the committee define what is GUR. And also that "white lining" everything might be impractical. But is something "defined by committee" the same as a "local rule" ? (If it is, fine).

 

[rulefan]

I get that the committee define what is GUR. And also that "white lining" everything might be impractical. But is something "defined by committee" the same as a "local rule" ? (If it is, fine).

The term 'Local Rule' is not defined but there is a section that specifies authorised Local Rules. However, although not a Local Rule of itself, the Definition of GUR specifies that it must be defined.
The effect is similar but not exactly the same. A penalty is applied to a breach of a Rule or Local Rule. But there is no penalty for not defining GUR (or anything else which needs a definition in order to exist) but if there is no definition then any action taken may involve a breach of a Rule and result in a penalty.

 

[Colin L]

I get that the committee define what is GUR. And also that "white lining" everything might be impractical. But is something "defined by committee" the same as a "local rule" ? (If it is, fine).

The Definition of GUR states that it can be marked or it can be defined by the committee in some other way.

Any part of the course the Committee defines to be ground under repair (whether by marking it or otherwise).

 

[rulie]

And could "or otherwise" include a statement on the Notice Board that said something along the lines of "All tractor marks identifiable as such are GUR"?
Me thinks that rulefan is being educational (and maybe persnickety) about the term "Local Rule".

 

[rulefan]

And could "or otherwise" include a statement on the Notice Board that said something along the lines of "All tractor marks identifiable as such are GUR"?
Me thinks that rulefan is being educational (and maybe persnickety) about the term "Local Rule".

Much nicer (and probably more accurate) than 'pedantic'.

 

[jim8flog]

And could "or otherwise" include a statement on the Notice Board that said something along the lines of "All tractor marks identifiable as such are GUR"?
Me thinks that rulefan is being educational (and maybe persnickety) about the term "Local Rule".

Here in lies part of the problem, without marking how do you determine what vehicle caused the ruts. If it becomes vehicle ruts are you including buggies? One of the biggest sources of tracks on the course where I play.

 

[Colin L]

No need to specify what has made a deep rut , but that being said, I doubt if a buggy could ever make one.