In Rog’s Blog: Obstructions, Rog argued that, for a range of sound and
rational reasons, the Rules covering Obstructions should apply to the whole
course. That is, there should not be discrimination between or within course
components.
The following is a proposed
re-write of Rule 24 which:
· incorporates this principle,
· more clearly describes the
situation pertaining to a movable obstruction being moved while a ball is in
motion, and
· re-states the Exception in a more
direct and meaningful form.
Rule 24 Obstructions
24-1. Movable Obstruction
A
player may take relief, without penalty, from a movable obstruction as follows:
(i) If the ball does not lie in or on the obstruction,
the obstruction may be removed. If the ball moves, it must be replaced, and
there is no penalty, provided that the movement of the ball is directly
attributable to the removal of the obstruction. Otherwise, Rule 18-2a applies.
(ii) If the ball lies in or on the obstruction, the ball
may be lifted and the obstruction removed. The ball must through the green or
in a hazard be dropped, or on the putting green be placed, as near as possible
to the spot directly under the place where the ball lay in or on the
obstruction, but not nearer the hole.
The
ball may be cleaned when lifted under this Rule.
When
a ball is in motion, an obstruction that might influence the movement of the
ball must not be moved. However, equipment of any player or the flagstick when
it is attended or held up, or when it has been removed from the hole, may be
moved.
(Exerting influence on ball – see
Rule 1-2)
24-2. Immovable Obstruction
a. Interference
Interference
by an immovable obstruction occurs when a ball lies in or on the obstruction,
or when the obstruction interferes with the player’s stance or the area of his
intended swing. Intervention on the line of play is not, of itself,
interference under this Rule.
If
the player’s ball lies on the putting green, interference also occurs if an
immovable obstruction on the putting green intervenes on his line of putt.
b. Relief
A player may take relief from
interference by an immovable obstruction as follows:
(i) Through the Green: If the ball lies through the green, the player must lift the ball and
drop it, without penalty, within one club-length of and not nearer the hole
than the nearest point of relief. The nearest point of relief must not be in a
hazard or on a putting green. When the ball is dropped within one club-length
of the nearest point of relief, the ball must first strike a part of the course
at a spot that avoids interference by the immovable obstruction and is not in a
hazard and not on a putting green.
(ii) In a Hazard: If the ball is in a hazard, the
player must lift the ball and drop it either:
(a) Without penalty, in accordance
with Clause (i) above, except that the nearest point of relief must be in the
hazard and the ball must be dropped in the hazard; or
(b) Under penalty of one stroke, outside
the hazard keeping the point where the ball lay directly between the hole and
the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the
hazard the ball may be dropped.
(iii) On the Putting Green: If the ball lies on the putting
green, the player must lift the ball and place it, without penalty, at the
nearest point of relief that is not in a hazard. The nearest point of relief
may be off the putting green.
(iv) On the Teeing Ground: If the ball lies on the teeing
ground, the player must lift the ball and drop it, without penalty, in
accordance with Clause (i) above.
The ball may be cleaned when
lifted under this Rule.
(Ball rolling to a position where
there is interference by the condition from which relief was taken – see Rule
20-2c(v))
Exception: A player may not take relief
under this Rule if anything other than an immovable obstruction prevents him
from taking a normal stance and making a normal stroke directed at the normal
line of play.
Note 1: If a ball to be dropped or
placed under this Rule is not immediately recoverable, another ball may be
substituted.
24-3. Ball in Obstruction Not Found
It is a question of fact whether
a ball that has not been found after having been struck toward an obstruction
is in the obstruction. In order to apply this Rule, it must be known or
virtually certain that the ball is in the obstruction. In the absence of such
knowledge or certainty, the player must proceed under Rule 27-1.
a. Ball in Movable
Obstruction Not Found
If it is known or virtually
certain that a ball that has not been found is in a movable obstruction, the
player may substitute another ball and take relief, without penalty, under this
Rule. If he elects to do so, he must remove the obstruction and through the
green or in a hazard drop a ball, or on the putting green place a ball, as near
as possible to the spot directly under the place where the ball last crossed
the outermost limits of the movable obstruction, but not nearer the hole.
b. Ball in
Immovable Obstruction Not Found
If it is known or virtually
certain that a ball that has not been found is in an immovable obstruction, the
player may take relief under this Rule. If he elects to do so, the spot where
the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the obstruction must be
determined and, for the purpose of applying this Rule, the ball is deemed to
lie at this spot and the player must proceed as follows:
(i) Through the Green: If the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the immovable
obstruction at a spot through the green, the player may substitute another
ball, without penalty, and take relief as prescribed in Rule 24-2b(i).
(ii) In a Hazard: If the ball last crossed the
outermost limits of the immovable obstruction at a spot in a hazard, the player
may substitute another ball, without penalty, and take relief as prescribed in
Rule 24-2b(ii).
(iii) On the Putting Green: If the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the immovable
obstruction at a spot on the putting green, the player may substitute another
ball, without penalty, and take relief as prescribed in Rule 24-2b(iii).
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF
RULE:
Match play – Loss of
hole; Stroke play – Two strokes.
All
criticism and/or suggestions for improvement would be gratefully received.
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