Rule 3-3

[Region3]

A ball lies embedded in its' own pitchmark in the rough, and I'm not sure if there's a local rule allowing free relief.

It's buried so much that I can't even try to play it, so whether there's a local rule or not I'm dropping.

Dropping under penalty I have 2 club lengths, and dropping with free relief (if there is any) I have to drop as near as possible to the original spot.

If I'm happy to drop as near as possible to the original spot for my penalty drop, can I just play the one ball and just add the penalty (if necessary) at the end of the round when I find out if there's a local rule or not?

I'm assuming I have the right to play 2 balls in this situation if I want to use the 2 club lengths for my penalty drop?

 

[fundy]

not the answer you want but why not just phone the pro shop to ask the rule, and before anyone says its slowing it down its definitely quicker than you playing 2 balls for the hole

 

[IanG]

That scenario seems strangely familiar......

 

[Region3]

That scenario seems strangely familiar......

I thought you might recognise it, but decided against explaining the whole thing because I already write too much

 

[Region3]

not the answer you want but why not just phone the pro shop to ask the rule, and before anyone says its slowing it down its definitely quicker than you playing 2 balls for the hole

I was in a foreign country and didn't speak the language

Edited to add: My question was wondering if I could just play the one ball and decide if it was a penalty later rather than play 2, provided my drop satisfied both scenarios procedures.

 

[fundy]

I was in a foreign country and didn't speak the language

can only be scotland lol i understand the dilemma more now

 

[Region3]

can only be scotland lol i understand the dilemma more now

Just edited, which might explain a bit better.

 

[fundy]

i genuinely dont know the answer but hope that it is yes but expect it will be no lol

 

[Old Skier]

First, is winter rules in operation.

Second, if they are the necessary local rule would have to be in place to allow for this.

If no local rule in place then penalty drop is the only option.

 

[duncan mackie]

i genuinely dont know the answer but hope that it is yes but expect it will be no lol

The answer lies in a decision (which I'm not going to look up but I'm sure remains in place under 3-3 somewhere ie 3-3/×) that says you may but recommends you shouldn't!

 

[Region3]

The answer lies in a decision (which I'm not going to look up but I'm sure remains in place under 3-3 somewhere ie 3-3/×) that says you may but recommends you shouldn't!

Spot on Duncan, thank you.

I just looked (should have thought of it before) and it's 3-3/11

 

[mikejohnchapman]

Surely you must take the penalty drop unless you are sure the local rule exists. If you invoke the 2 ball opton you must have a valid reason for doing so and not just because it might exist. Players responsibility to read the local rules before play.

 

[Colin L]

Surely you must take the penalty drop unless you are sure the local rule exists. If you invoke the 2 ball opton you must have a valid reason for doing so and not just because it might exist. Players responsibility to read the local rules before play.

Rule 3-3 exists for when you are in doubt about how to proceed. If you were sure the local rule was in place you wouldn’t be in doubt.

 

[MadAdey]

The sensible option to me is to play 2 balls and then sort it out afterwards.

 

[williamalex1]

The sensible option to me is to play 2 balls and then sort it out afterwards.

Agreed , but if the score ends up the same with both balls, why does he still have to report it to the committee, as required by the rule

 

[rulie]

Agreed , but if the score ends up the same with both balls, why does he still have to report it to the committee, as required by the rule

Because of the doubts, it's possible that neither ball was played in accordance with the Rules. The Committee will resolve that.