rules query

[Simbo]

Ground under repair

playing the medal yesterday with 2 guys, scenario is

there is quite clearly a marked ground under repair area,quite large area as it is our greenkeepers bit, the ball has come to rest in the braches of a tree that is planted IN the ground under reapir but one half of the tree branches are all over hanging outside the boundary line, his ball was quite clearly outside the painted line on the ground

does he get a free drop from this scenario?????

 

[MashieNiblick]

Interesting question but luckily it is covered by Decision 25/10.5 Ball in Tree in Ground Under Repair

"Q. A player's ball is found through the green in a tree rooted in an area marked as ground under repair. The spot on the ground directly under where the ball lies is outside the white-lined area defining the ground under repair. Is the player entitled to relief under Rule 25-1b(i)?

A. Yes, because the ball lies in or touches the ground under repair – see Definition of “Ground Under Repair”. In this case, the reference point for taking relief is the spot on the ground immediately below the place where the ball lay in the tree."

The definition of Ground Under Repair includes the following

"All ground and any grass, bush, tree or other growing thing within the ground under repair are part of the ground under repair"

So there you are. As the tree is part of the GUR and as the ball is in the tree you are intitled to relief taking the spot under the ball as the reference point.

 

[Simbo]

ok cool, that was what i kinda suspectedbut it was the manner in which he conducted himself that got my goat, he q just walked over to the tree and never said anything to myself nor the other guy(ithink they played together all the time anyway) and just jumped up grabbed the tree and shook it and the ball fell out.

 

[MashieNiblick]

Interesting as that was a tricky one that I had to look up. I confess my intital thought was no relief so I have learned something.

I do think in any situation like that it is a courtesy to discuss it with your opponent/fellow competitor and explain what you are going to do and why. The guy may well know that particular rule, can show you the definition and then every one is happy. Otherwise you can be left with a lingering doubt especially as there are so many urban myths and misunderstandings about what you you can and can't do.

Any time I'm getting a drop I always like someone else to know why and be watching so we can be happy it's all OK. We have a lot of GUR at at our place at the moment and we all like to be sure we are dropping the ball where we should.

 

[Matty]

Having read the initial post my first thoughts were that this was outside GUR so no free drop. You live and learn!

 

[Simbo]

imo he didnt know the rules because, after he shook the branch the ball fell out, it landed within 2 feet of the boundary fence of the GUR which is a free drop??

he then proceeded to attempt to play before taking a drop after the other guy told him

pure chancer IMO, i did say to the other guy playing about it but he just laughed it off, which made me even more annoyed. in all honesty i reckon that the vast vast majority of club golfers could add 10 shots to their total if they were under the same scrutinee as pro golfers-maybe thats why they take so long to go around

 

[Matty]

@Simbo,

I'm not sure I agree. Pros have referees available to them during their rounds but they also (should) have a much better knowledge of the rules than an amateur. After all it's their job, their earnings are linked to their game which is in turn linked to their knowledge of the rules.

If you understand the rules better you know when you must take a penalty, what to do to avoid such penalties and also you'll know when you can improve your position in a tricky situation by a legal application of the rules.

So, like this chap lodging his ball in a tree that was growing in GUR. If he'd known the rules he could have declared his intent, then confidently walked up, retrieved his ball and taken a free drop.