Removable sign partially blocking route to green?

[Birchy]

Yesterday playing our par 4 11th i came across a ruling question i thought i would put on here as i cant find a definative answer after a quick search.

I hit my drive about 20 yards short of a large tree which blocks most of the entry to the green. At the base of the tree is two signs one saying next tee this way and i cant remember what the other says. Usually both are resting on the tree but yesterday one was to the left of the tree which blocked some of the gap which i would take to the green.

I asked my playing partner his opinion and he reckoned it couldnt be moved so i left it where it was. I duly hit the sign with my shot but luckily it rebounded to a place where i could at least get my next shot near the green.

So my question is could the sign of been moved or does it have to stay?

 

[louise_a]

Surely if the sign is movable then you could have moved it.

 

[Imurg]

We have "Next Tee", "Please repair pitchmark" signs all over the place.
Just spiked signs in the ground.
If it's movable - move it!

 

[Birchy]

I thought it could be moved but didnt know for certain so didnt want to move it without knowing for sure.

Will be moving it next time if it happens

 

[rulefan]

Just try it. If it moves it is movable. But also check on the card to see if there is a Local Rule saying they are not (very unlikely).

 

[duncan mackie]

Basically if it's artificial, or manufactured, it's an Obstruction.

As Rulefan states, if it's moveable it's a Moveable Obstruction, if it can't be moved it's an Immovable Obstruction. Note, this does mean that for some people/groups what's Moveable may differ.

The Rules permit the Committee to make Local Rules that govern some obstructions, and these will be published. IMO they should be avoided if possible as they cause more problems than they avoid, but they exist - some seemingly just to catch out the unwary. Study your own card and prepare to be surprised!

Some common examples -

Benches around the course declared IOs - the unwary will just move it out of the way and get penalised.
150 markers can be designated either; the dangerous ones are the ones that are carefully installed with proper mountings so that they can be slid out, and back in, but are designated IOs!

 

[Yer Maw]

Moveable obstruction is whether it can be moved and returned to the same place with ease. Tiger had a huge boulder moved by the crowd at a match because it was directly in front of his ball after a wayward tee shot. The crowd then put it back! You should've moved it.

 

[Birchy]

The sign is very moveable and not really fixed down at all. Usually its just resting against the tree so going off the above replies i should of moved it .

Thanks for the replies, lesson learned :thup:

 

[Colin L]

Moveable obstruction is whether it can be moved and returned to the same place with ease. Tiger had a huge boulder moved by the crowd at a match because it was directly in front of his ball after a wayward tee shot. The crowd then put it back! You should've moved it.

Ahem. The boulder was not an obstruction, being a natural object. It was, however, a loose impediment which he was entitled to move and entitled to get help in moving.