Tractor Tyre Marks

[mikejohnchapman]

With courses getting so soft in the bad weather I was trying to find reference to whether relief would be given to an Abnormal Ground Condition in the form of a tractor tread mark. Not on a path or an area designated as a path used multiple times by green staff, just a ball lying in a tread make somewhere on the course.

1, Is this covered?
2, If not can it be a local rule?

 

[rosecott]

With courses getting so soft in the bad weather I was trying to find reference to whether relief would be given to an Abnormal Ground Condition in the form of a tractor tread mark. Not on a path or an area designated as a path used multiple times by green staff, just a ball lying in a tread make somewhere on the course.

1, Is this covered?
2, If not can it be a local rule?

Model Local Rule F-4

 

[duncan mackie]

1. No
2. Yes - see draft local rules. Needs to be substantial

 

[mikejohnchapman]

Model Local Rule F-4

I saw that but felt it had to be predefined rather than some thing generic.

Ground under repair may include areas of unusual damage, including areas where spectators or other traffic have combined with wet conditions to alter the ground surface materially, but only when so declared by an authorized referee or member of the Committee.

 

[rulefan]

I saw that but felt it had to be predefined rather than some thing generic.

Ground under repair may include areas of unusual damage, including areas where spectators or other traffic have combined with wet conditions to alter the ground surface materially, but only when so declared by an authorized referee or member of the Committee.

From the definition of GUR

Examples of damage that is not ground under repair by default include:

• A rut made by a tractor (but the Committee is justified in declaring a deep rut to be ground under repair).

 

[Swango1980]

I guess the local rule would cover all marks, including those of a golf buggy rather than tractor. I'll need to check our local rules to see if they cover that, can be a big issue at our place

 

[Colin L]

For what it's worth, this was my effort to define a "deep rut" during a period when we had damage on the course during the construction of a bridge:

[The Local Rule] applies only to deep ruts and not to shallow indentations. A rut is considered deep where if a ball is lying in it, the clubhead cannot connect with it or follow through without interference from an edge of the rut or, if the player has to stand with a foot in it, he cannot take a normal balanced stance.

 

[rulie]

For what it's worth, this was my effort to define a "deep rut" during a period when we had damage on the course during the construction of a bridge:

[The Local Rule] applies only to deep ruts and not to shallow indentations. A rut is considered deep where if a ball is lying in it, the clubhead cannot connect with it or follow through without interference from an edge of the rut or, if the player has to stand with a foot in it, he cannot take a normal balanced stance.

Pretty similar to my personal decision-making rule - if you can get the club on the back of the ball with a normal swing, no free relief. I don't worry much about stance since a player is not guaranteed a "normal" stance anywhere (maybe an expectation for the teeing area). Have to be careful with it though considering some of the lies in poorly maintained bunkers.

 

[drdel]

Would not be wise to be using a conventionally tyred tractor on a golf course this time of year.

 

[rulefan]

For what it's worth, this was my effort to define a "deep rut" during a period when we had damage on the course during the construction of a bridge:

[The Local Rule] applies only to deep ruts and not to shallow indentations. A rut is considered deep where if a ball is lying in it, the clubhead cannot connect with it or follow through without interference from an edge of the rut or, if the player has to stand with a foot in it, he cannot take a normal balanced stance.

A pragmatic and sensible approach