Sterne drop on the 17th at Abu Dhabi

[Mickyc]

Hi

Anyone watch Richard sterne get a free drop on the 17th today. Commentary suggested it was because he had opted to putt (from a couple of meters off the green) and would have had to putt over a sprinkler head. Is this a new rule or perhaps a local rule?

Was never aware of any relief for putting over a sprinkler head from off the green?
Mike

 

[rosecott]

That has always been - and still is - an optional Local Rule.

 

[garyinderry]

Think if it's within two club lengths.

 

[Bigfoot]

This is one rule I would like adopted for every sprinkler head. They are artificial

 

[coffer]

Would never be a local rule at my club, it's an imovable obstruction, chip or take a penalty drop. Silly rule.

 

[Maninblack4612]

Would never be a local rule at my club, it's an imovable obstruction, chip or take a penalty drop. Silly rule.

You sure? And it's not a silly rule, there's a good reason for it.

 

[rulefan]

It was normally only used on links courses where putting from off the green was commonplace. On parkland courses the fringe tends to be lusher and chips are usually the favoured stroke.
Most comps I referee have a hardcard that include the LR. It often amuses me when a player takes relief and then proceeds to play a chip over a nonexistent problem

 

[rosecott]

Would never be a local rule at my club, it's an imovable obstruction, chip or take a penalty drop. Silly rule.

I take it you are authorised to speak on behalf of your entire committee. In my opinion R&A/USGA do not offer "silly" model Local Rules.

 

[coffer]

Yes I am and it's not a local rule here!

 

[rulefan]

Would never be a local rule at my club, it's an imovable obstruction, chip or take a penalty drop. Silly rule.

It may not be appropriate for your course. I guess parkland with well grassed fringes. But that does not make it silly.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Another parkland course here where the club has decided not to implement it as a local rule. Always amusing watching a PP frantically consult the score card and work out what to do but a pain when you get to your ball and it's your turn. No point getting stressed in my my head and just deal with it as best you can

 

[Maninblack4612]

Would never be a local rule at my club, it's an imovable obstruction, chip or take a penalty drop. Silly rule.

It's not am immovable obstruction. If it was you'd get free relief under the rules. Unless otherwise defined in a Local Rule, sprinklers are an integral part of the course, and that's why relief isn't available on your course.

 

[doublebogey7]

It's not am immovable obstruction. If it was you'd get free relief under the rules. Unless otherwise defined in a Local Rule, sprinklers are an integral part of the course, and that's why relief isn't available on your course.

Really can you please tell me where in the rules it says they are an integral part of the course.

 

[backwoodsman]

It's not am immovable obstruction. If it was you'd get free relief under the rules. Unless otherwise defined in a Local Rule, sprinklers are an integral part of the course, and that's why relief isn't available on your course.

??

It is an immovable obstruction. Just that you don't normally get relief from them just because they are on your line of play. Hence the local rule for when on the fringe or otherwise in a near green "puttable" location.

 

[Homer]

It's not am immovable obstruction. If it was you'd get free relief under the rules. Unless otherwise defined in a Local Rule, sprinklers are an integral part of the course, and that's why relief isn't available on your course.

This is utter cobblers!

 

[Maninblack4612]

This is utter cobblers!

You're right, what a load of crap! Only excuse is we only have one immovable obstruction on our course & it rarely come into play.

 

[doublebogey7]

You're right, what a load of crap! Only excuse is we only have one immovable obstruction on our course & it rarely come into play.

So you don't have sprinkler heads?

 

[Maninblack4612]

So you don't have sprinkler heads?

Yes, but we employ that sensible local rule.

 

[duncan mackie]

You're right, what a load of crap! Only excuse is we only have one immovable obstruction on our course & it rarely come into play.

With respect, you can't know that.

Any number of dynamic elements may come to constitute an immovable obstruction from time to time, as well as any fixed or known situations that may, or may not, be ruled upon locally.

If they meet the definition of an immovable obstruction they become, defacto, an immovable obstruction on your course.

 

[Maninblack4612]

With respect, you can't know that.

Any number of dynamic elements may come to constitute an immovable obstruction from time to time, as well as any fixed or known situations that may, or may not, be ruled upon locally.

If they meet the definition of an immovable obstruction they become, defacto, an immovable obstruction on your course.

With respect, you can't know that.

Any number of dynamic elements may come to constitute an immovable obstruction from time to time, as well as any fixed or known situations that may, or may not, be ruled upon locally.

If they meet the definition of an immovable obstruction they become, defacto, an immovable obstruction on your course.

What I do know is that I've played there for over 60 years &, apart from the sprinkler heads, I've never come across one.