bluewolf
Money List Winner
Nope..
Nope..
ruff-driver
Journeyman Pro
It seems that the situation is 'within' the rules, how many club golfers would know about it is a different matter.
But i do now....thanks :thup:
But i do now....thanks :thup:
Jensen
Tour Rookie
I think I would take relief as its in the rules therefore not cheating.
Region3
Ryder Cup Winner
If I would genuinely play a left handed shot if the path weren't there then yes, I'd have no problem taking free relief.
If my options were chipping out right handed or playing a shot left handed then I'd more than likely play the RH chip out, and would be very disbelieving of anyone who said otherwise in an effort to claim free relief.
After all, unless you can play left handed, a free swing at a ball left handed with a right handed club turned upside down could go anywhere and probably isn't worth the risk if you have a RH shot back to the fairway.
If my options were chipping out right handed or playing a shot left handed then I'd more than likely play the RH chip out, and would be very disbelieving of anyone who said otherwise in an effort to claim free relief.
After all, unless you can play left handed, a free swing at a ball left handed with a right handed club turned upside down could go anywhere and probably isn't worth the risk if you have a RH shot back to the fairway.
Region3
Ryder Cup Winner
To the rules guys though.....
If you claim relief because you want to play left handed which puts your stance on a path, I assume the NPR is found assuming a LH stance?
If you then are standing on the path taking a RH stance, do you get free relief again?
If you claim relief because you want to play left handed which puts your stance on a path, I assume the NPR is found assuming a LH stance?
If you then are standing on the path taking a RH stance, do you get free relief again?
Alex1975
Tour Winner
S
Snelly
Guest
Agree with this. If engineering the situation to take advantage then I think it is poor but if genuinely thinking of a left handed shot and then stood on a path then perfectly okay.
Ethan
Money List Winner
American companies don't do ethics, they just do avoidance of legal liability. In this case, legal, so good to go, as they say over there.
FairwayDodger
Money List Winner
I agree with this, if I was genuinely considering playing a left handed shot as the best option (which I do play from time to time) then I'd claim the relief but I wouldn't pretend to be considering a LH shot just to get the relief if, realistically, I'd play a different shot if relief wasn't available.
Region3
Ryder Cup Winner
I've done it twice.
Club championships, tee shot finished under a bush and there was no way to take a RH stance, and a penalty drop still only leave me a chip back to the fairway.
The second time was about 10 seconds later after I missed the ball with the first one.
jamielaing
Q-School Graduate
Seve did this many years ago. Got a drop to play it left handed and turned round because he could play it right handed.
I'm of the opinion that if it is in the rules and can be used to your advantage then use it. I would never cheat or break the rules but they are there to create a level playing field for all golfers. Not using it would be like leaving the ball in a divot when prefered lies are in play in my opinion.
I'm of the opinion that if it is in the rules and can be used to your advantage then use it. I would never cheat or break the rules but they are there to create a level playing field for all golfers. Not using it would be like leaving the ball in a divot when prefered lies are in play in my opinion.
Tongo
Journeyman Pro
My first reaction was no but, after reading Jamielaing's post above, i can see both sides of the argument.
Piece
Tour Winner
As a bounce player I wouldn't bother. If I ever played a competition and knowing it was in the rules, then yes.
FairwayDodger
Money List Winner
I've done it twice.
Club championships, tee shot finished under a bush and there was no way to take a RH stance, and a penalty drop still only leave me a chip back to the fairway.
The second time was about 10 seconds later after I missed the ball with the first one.
First time I tried it I managed to get it onto the green despite being up against a tree with no chance of a RH shot. Unfortunately, that just led me to believe it was a shot I could play easily.... never managed better than dunting it a wee bit forward ever since....
lobthewedge
Challenge Tour Pro
I wouldnt take relief, just wouldnt sit right with me.
If you have hit your ball up the derriere of a tree, its your own stupid fault and you deserve to be penalised. Take your medicine and move on, dont try and bend the rules to your advantage.
If you have hit your ball up the derriere of a tree, its your own stupid fault and you deserve to be penalised. Take your medicine and move on, dont try and bend the rules to your advantage.
Fyldewhite
Tour Winner
I think I'd have a struggle to justify it to myself if I was just stood on a path to play a LH shot as 9 times out of 10 it isn't really a problem and hardly stops me playing the shot. However, if there was an obstruction physically stopping me playing the LH shot then I'd certainly take relief with no problem. Of course, when I say "struggle" I only mean for a few seconds until I got over it 
Rules is rules and if you get a lucky break then take it.
Rules is rules and if you get a lucky break then take it.
D
Deleted member 15717
Guest
Now, not quite the right rulings, as it relates to immovable obstructions, but it does state that "a player may not take relief under this rule...b) interference by an immovable obstruction would occur only through the use of a clearly unreasonable stroke or an unnecessarily abnormal stance, swing or direction of play.
The more I read it, the more I think it doesn't really apply, however, it's there...
The more I read it, the more I think it doesn't really apply, however, it's there...
doublebogey7
Head Pro
I was replying to the OP I was commenting on your quote below.
"If the possibility of claiming relief is spotted, then a situation engineered to claim relief, then there would be an issue with "Spirit of the game".".
This would be against the rules.
I will though now answer OP. I would have no problem taking relief in the situation they describe providing it was clear that the left handed shot is the only shot I could reasonably play. You get your far share of bad luck when it comes to the rules, I see no problem then it taking advantage of good luck.
bluewolf
Money List Winner
My comment was meant to infer the possibility of a player stating that his intention was to play a particular shot without ever actually intending to. The honesty of the player could be brought into question, but he would be utilising the rules to get an advantage. For example, I'm useless at the left handed shot and would never try it, but I could state that I was about to try it, just to get relief. Not against the rules, but I'd be lying (unprovable) and the Ref couldn't stop me.
doublebogey7
Head Pro
Sorry but you would be breaking the rules, the exception to rule 24-2 is clear. Yes you may "get away with it" and the referee may not stop you, but that does not mean your actions would be within the rules.
The game of golf relies on the honesty of players, otherwise we would need a referee with every group in every competition. Glad I am not in your swindle if this is the way you view the rules.
