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Last Login: 13/03/2008 12:39:27
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| After an incident during matchplay on 3rd November 2007, i wonder if you could advise, as i believe there is a grey area in what constitutes a moveable obstruction and line of sight relief.
In order to play a shot on Saturday, an opponent needed to play it low beneath branches of a tree and in order to hit the ball on his desired line ( directly at the flag, some 160 yards away ) walked forward and removed a red and white 150 yard marker post. The post, by chance was loose and therefore came out with ease. Because said post was some 10 yards in front of the player, it obviously did not impede stance or swing.
I would like to know, whether this constitutes 'line of sight relief'. In my opinion this situation did not warrant the removal of this post. Furthermore, in some cases, marker posts are fixed firmly into the ground at which point they become immovable obstructions. The option to move said posts is then negated.
The match score stands, but for future reference, i would be pleased to receive your input.
Many Thanks
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| | Thanks for your excellent question. Essentially 3 rules need to be cross-referenced to answer this, the first being Rule 13.2, 'Line of Play', as shown below: "Line of Play A player must not improve or allow to be improved: • the position or lie of his ball, • the area of his intended stance or swing, • his line of play or a reasonable extension of that line beyond the hole, or • the area in which he is to drop or place a ball, by any of the following actions: • moving, bending or breaking anything growing or fixed (including immovable obstructions and objects defining out of bounds), • creating or eliminating irregularities of surface," As you will note in red text a player must not improve his line of play by certain actions, which excludes movable obstructions, which is defned by the rules as shown below: "An obstruction is a movable obstruction if it may be moved without unreasonable effort, without unduly delaying play and without causing" As the stake in question was loose and easy to remove it would therefore be regarded as a movable obstruction and, as you'll see below water hazard stakes are regarded as obstructions: "All ground or water within the margin of a water hazard is part of the water hazard. The margin of a water hazard extends vertically upwards and downwards. Stakes and lines defining the margins of water hazards are in the hazards. Such stakes are obstructions. A ball is in a water hazard when it lies in or any part of it touches the water hazard." So, to summarise, he did improve his Line of Play legally by temporarilly moving a movable obstruction. I hope this helps to clear this matter up. Once again, thanks for such a great question. |
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Last Login: 13/03/2008 12:39:27
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| Hello again
Thanks for your excellent response. The reason for my original question is obviously based on what i considered at the time, to be a 'line of site issue'.
Although i accept your explanation and of ofcourse the rules, i do find it a grey area open to exploitation. For instance, the hole being played at the time was our 15th. Once the player had teed off, the position of his ball was in the rough under the trees, actually favouring our 16th hole. (This runs adjacent to the 15th).The only possible recovery shot to the 15th green was to move said marker. The player hit one of the best golf shots i have ever seen. I must add that i only observed this in a match which was following our group, and was not involved,but i must say i do have a desire to play the beautiful game to the rules as i know them.
I believe the first rule of golf states "It is every golfers duty to know the rules of golf".
Many thanks for your response.
Kind regards
M.W. |
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