Stone in bunker.. options?

[vkurup]

At the S/f last week, I hit one into the bunker on the back 9. Which is alright and all day I was getting out of bunkers fairly well, so was very confident about it.

On reaching the bunker, I found the ball on a slope - it had tried to run up, but did not have legs to escape. On its way down, it was stopped by a small stone underneath. As it was underneath, it would interfere with my swing path and also come between the ball and the club.

1) I know you can move loose impediments from bunker. But can you move impediments that touch the ball?
2) If I attempt to move the stone, the ball would roll down. Would I need to drop the ball onto the slope (where it would never sit) or play wherever it comes to rest after removing the stone??

There were too many Qs, so played it as it was - only to see the ball airmail the green and OOB and a blob on the card

What were my options??

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Can only remove loose impediments from bunkers if a LR authorises as such - but if removing one could cause your ball to be then you shouldn't move it and play it as it lies or take an unplayable and take a drop maybe

 

[guest100718]

Can only remove loose impediments from bunkers if a LR authorises as such - but if removing one could cause your ball to be then you shouldn't move it and play it as it lies or take an unplayable and take a drop maybe

I don't think you can remove LIs from bunkers. You can remove stones if the LR exists. I am also pretty sure if said LR for stone removal exists you can lift your ball without penalty and remove the stone.

 

[Fyldewhite]

You can't even touch it.

If there is a local rule it becomes an Obstruction and can be moved (and if the ball moves replace).

 

[Foxholer]

It really depends on whether there is an LR in place, and what the LR states.

However, if the LR is as per the specimen in the Rules, it simply defines stones as MOs with Rule 24 applying.

That being the case, it's ok to move stone - even if touching ball - with No penalty if the ball moves - though it must be replaced....

Makes the most sense too! The reason for the reclassification is safety and it's more likely that danger would be involved if stone very close/touching ball than in the 'normal' case where there's simply one nearby!

 

[vkurup]

Assuming that I cant touch/remove it... how do i play the shot.

My 'normal' bunker shot, saw the ball shoot out and about 50y rather than 20y I needed for it to get to the green. Effectively I hit the pebble and potentially had no contact with the ball itself. Since it was on a upslope, I could not bring it back in my stance and hoik it out either..

 

[guest100718]

Assuming that I cant touch/remove it... how do i play the shot.

My 'normal' bunker shot, saw the ball shoot out and about 50y rather than 20y I needed for it to get to the green. Effectively I hit the pebble and potentially had no contact with the ball itself. Since it was on a upslope, I could not bring it back in my stance and hoik it out either..

I have never played anywhere that doesnt allow removal of stones from bunkers. But if the stone was that bad then a unplayable is an option.

 

[Old Skier]

It's my experience that visiting players very rarely read the local rules and assume that everything is the same everywhere.

 

[duncan mackie]

Assuming that I cant touch/remove it... how do i play the shot.

My 'normal' bunker shot, saw the ball shoot out and about 50y rather than 20y I needed for it to get to the green. Effectively I hit the pebble and potentially had no contact with the ball itself. Since it was on a upslope, I could not bring it back in my stance and hoik it out either..

guest100718's given you the rules answer; if it's unplayable then declare it such and take relief under that rule for 1 shot.

for the golf answer, hit way behind the stone with a full swing and deposit sand, stone and ball on the green ie treat the stone as the ball and do not hit the stone directly.