When does an immoveable obstruction become an immoveable one ?

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oltimer

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Yet again this week we saw a several cwt boulder being moved (a la tiger) by several spectators making an unplayable ball playable, in the post match interview it was said this was perhaps the benefit of being in a leading group followed by many spectators, insinuating that those in a minor group perhaps would not have the outside help available. Surely its time that to qualify as being moveable it must be able to be moved by the player or perhaps by just those in that group not with the aid of outside agencies or is it acceptable to have half ton loose impediments ?
 
It has been documented as being acceptable to have help moving a loose impediment by anyone and by any means for over 60 years, subject to not delaying play.
But how often has it happened.
 
Your title is bit misleading

The rock becomes an immovable obstruction when it has been fashioned by man in to a different shape.

It then becomes an immovable obstruction because it cannot be moved without undue effort.

But I am sure you know all this.

The only other incident I know of is the Tiger Woods one.
 
jim8flog said:
Your title is bit misleading

The rock becomes an immovable obstruction when it has been fashioned by man in to a different shape.

It then becomes an immovable obstruction because it cannot be moved without undue effort.

But I am sure you know all this.

The only other incident I know of is the Tiger Woods one.
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Yes sorry should have said when immoveable becomes moveable
 
It's a rule I would change if I had the opportunity.
If you and your caddy can't move whatever it is that's in the way then it can't be moved.
It's unfair on the players that don't have dozens of spectators following them.
 
Imurg said:
It's a rule I would change if I had the opportunity.
If you and your caddy can't move whatever it is that's in the way then it can't be moved.
It's unfair on the players that don't have dozens of spectators following them.
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But I don't have a caddie and the pros do.
But you are big a strong and I'm a frail old man
But you have a strong partner and I don't
Life is so unfair
 
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rulefan said:
But I don't have a caddie and the pros do.
But you are big a strong and I'm a frail old man
But you have a strong partner and I don't
Life is so unfair
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Play with what you have and what you are.
My knee high drop is higher than someone of 5 feet tall
My driver is 44 inches, yours is 46 so you get a better drop area
My highest lofted wedge is 54° yours is 60° so you can go over a tree when I have to go round.

All similar to your reasons - as I say, play with what you are and what you have.
In a medal you play a shot that comes to rest behind a rock like Tiger or Brooks...there just happen to be 2 other guys walking up another fairway. So you call them over and they help you shift it
I'm in the last group (2 balls) and when I hit the ball to the same rock there's nobody around to help.
How is that right?
Play it as it lies and of you can't, do what is fair......isn't that what the rules say?
So fairness has a place.
Hey, it's my opinion on a rule.
I don't like it and I don't think it's right.
R&A aren't going to listen to me so it's irrelevant in the scheme of things
 
Slab said:
I reckon there's no undue effort if I push it out the way with the golf cart 😉
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'Reasonable effort' are the words used but (surprisingly?) they only refer to Movable Obstructions not Loose Impediments.

The only constraint re LIs is that there must be no undue delay but oddly that isn't mentioned re MOs.
 
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