Ruling

[stevek1969]

On saturday one of the guys who i was playing with ball landed 6 inches behind a sprinkler head beside the green it was straight across his line when putting, does he get relief from this or does he putt over it.

I thought he would get relief but the other guy was a total knob by the way said he didn't no discussion on his .

 

[gripitripit]

I don't know but surely common sense would prevail and it would be mentioned in the local rules that relief is to be given?

 

[Twire]

I think this is covered with a local rule, have a look on the back of the scorecard.

 

[bladeplayer]

Not official here steve but i would say no relief if it wasnt affecting stance or swing . the fact it is on the line of the shot would be irrelevant .. just my opinion tho mate im sure we will get an official ruling along shortly

 

[Ken_A]

As far as I am aware you only get relief if the sprinkler is in the way of your stance - afterall he could chip it over the sprinkler head.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

If the ball was on the sprinkler head or the sprinkler head interfeered with his stance, then relief may be claimed

However 6 inches behind sounds like bad luck, Play the ball as it lies.

Been There, Done That


Fragger

 

[Paul_Stewart]

Otherwise you could be 200 yards down the fairway in a naff lie, claim there is a sprinkler head on the fringe where you want to land the shot, and hence try and claim relief.

The current rule is the ideal one.

 

[gripitripit]

Just re-read the OP and realized the ball was not on the green. As mentioned nothing stopping him chipping it over.

 

[Twire]

Just had a look at our local rule and it states, the obstruction has to be within 2 club lengths of the putting green, and the ball has to be within 2 club lengths of the obstruction to get relief.

But that is only our local rule.

 

[USER1999]

We too have a local rule on the back of the card similar to Twires. I wish we didn't. It is a nonsense.

 

[stevek1969]

Cheers for the replies guys, i wasn't sure so thought i'd ask for future reference, plus the other knob was adamant he was right no discussion on it.

 

[Swinger]

I'd say that 6 inches behind could probably affect the swing path of the club.

 

[jammydodger]

No relief unless you have it stated in your local rules. This is why I always read the local rules when I go to a new course. Doesnt take 5 mins to have a glance at the back of the scorecard to check things like this. Other common ones are power lines , gur , areas of new trees , man made tracks/paths , stones in bunkers etc

 

[palindromicbob]

Simple way if you aren't sure how to proceed in this situation and stay within the rules. In stroke play rule 3-3 comes to your aid.

Raise the fact there was doubt. Before making the stroke he can choose to play 2 balls (one as it lies and one taking relief). He must choose which he wants to count before proceeding. Naturally this would be wanting the second ball to count or why would he call it. Then hole out with both balls. After finishing then the matter could be raised and confirmation given as to if relief was allowed or not. If relief was allowed then the second ball would count as the score. If not then the first ball would count.

Should he actually score better with the first and the rules permitted the relief then bad call and hard luck.

 

[chrisd]

We have a local rule too


Chris

 

[rosecott]

Just had a look at our local rule and it states, the obstruction has to be within 2 club lengths of the putting green, and the ball has to be within 2 club lengths of the obstruction to get relief.

But that is only our local rule.

That is the standard local rule recommended by the R&A

 

[viscount17]

Schwartzel got relief because 'he might hit the sprinkler head and injure himself'. still think this was a poor decision as there is no rule to say he is entitled to line.

 

[Matty]

Could have claimed relief but only as it's a local rule.

In the case of disagreement can't you play 2 balls - one as it lies and one dropped. Score both and then ask after the round which should stand.

 

[RGDave]

If the ball was on the sprinkler head or the sprinkler head interfeered with his stance, then relief may be claimed

However 6 inches behind sounds like bad luck, Play the ball as it lies.

Been There, Done That

Tell me about it. No Texas wedge-ing in this case!

 

[palindromicbob]

Schwartzel got relief because 'he might hit the sprinkler head and injure himself'. still think this was a poor decision as there is no rule to say he is entitled to line.

I wasn't line. It was interference with swing from a immovable obstruction. He could have hit it when taking a divot and that's how he justified it. The fact it took him onto the fairway is just good luck and clever application of the rules.