Nearest point of relief?

[Petetheplumber]

Hello guys I would appreciate a definitive answer to this query.

 

I find my self on a position on the golf course where I am entitled to take relief e.g. cart path or other immovable obstruction. I figure out where my nearest point of relief is from the obstruction. However this takes me into bushes where I cannot actually take my stance properly to address the ball or swing the club. Do I need to be able to take my proper stance? Is my nearest point of relief the next nearest location where I can properly take my stance and address the ball? Or is there only one nearest point of relief and if I cant take my stance then that's just bad luck?

 

[MattF]

I believe you need to be able to take your stance, hence why we're allowed to take relief from a stance on a cart path, which is an immovable obstruction.

 

See this link: https://www.usga.org/RulesFAQ/rules_answer.asp?FAQidx=95&Rule=24

[cnosil]

You can take relief from the immovable instruction. That does not mean that the nearest point of relief will allow you a stance. If you choose to drop it would have to be in the bushes

[DaveP043]

You can take relief from the immovable instruction. That does not mean that the nearest point of relief will allow you a stance. If you choose to drop it would have to be in the bushes

This is correct.  You get complete relief , so your stance and swing has no interference from the obstruction.  That doesn't mean that your swing won't be hindered by the rest of the golf course, including bushes.  Here's an excerpt from the site that MattF linked:

 

 

 In some cases the nearest point of relief may be in a bush, tree, etc.

[DPattGolf]

Cnosil and Dave are correct. That is why you will see PGA Tour players hit off the cart path at times

[hckymeyer]

The exception to this is when the nearest point of relief would take you in to another obstacle that allows for relief.  Then you would take relief twice.  

[Golfspy_CG2]

The exception to this is when the nearest point of relief would take you in to another obstacle that allows for relief.  Then you would take relief twice.  

Right, would a recent example of this would have been Jordan Spieth in the British Open last year?   He took a penalty drop from an unplayable lie in those bushes on the hill, but the nearest point of relief was one of the equipment trailers, so he got relief from that then to an open spot on the range.

[cnosil]

Right, would a recent example of this would have been Jordan Spieth in the British Open last year? He took a penalty drop from an unplayable lie in those bushes on the hill, but the nearest point of relief was one of the equipment trailers, so he got relief from that then to an open spot on the range.

Don't remember the situation but sounds like it. You have to do it one step at a time. He had to drop in the equipment trailers prior to getting relief from that obstruction.

[downlowkey]

Right, would a recent example of this would have been Jordan Spieth in the British Open last year?   He took a penalty drop from an unplayable lie in those bushes on the hill, but the nearest point of relief was one of the equipment trailers, so he got relief from that then to an open spot on the range.

 

More specifically, Jordan used 28-B (no distance limit) retreating in line to a small patch of grass between 2 tour trucks (immovable obstruction) that then allowed for additional lateral relief while maintaining playable distance from the dune ridge. Excellent knowledge of the rules and critical thinking in an incredibly stressful situation.

[Golfspy_CG2]

More specifically, Jordan used 28-B (no distance limit) retreating in line to a small patch of grass between 2 tour trucks (immovable obstruction) that then allowed for additional lateral relief while maintaining playable distance from the dune ridge. Excellent knowledge of the rules and critical thinking in an incredibly stressful situation.

Gotcha...thanks for the clarification.   I agree that it was a great use of the rules by him, and for those that said it took too long and was unfair to Kuchar, I'm pretty sure it was less time than JB Holmes used to make a club selection at the Farmers back in January while Noren was waiting to hit his shot in the fairway.     OK, not quite as long, but given the two circumstances, I'd say Jordan's was definitely within reason, and Holmes was beyond reasonable. 

[Petetheplumber]

Ok guys thanks for that. So it's definitely the nearest point of relief regardless if you can take your natural stance or swing the club.

[PlaidJacket]

I always refer to Barry Rhodes. If you like learning about rules you ought to subscribe to his site.

 

So without further ado I present Mr. Barry Rhodes.... 

 

http://www.barryrhodes.com/search?q=nearest+point+of+relief

[PING Apologist #9]

I always refer to Barry Rhodes. If you like learning about rules you ought to subscribe to his site.

 

So without further ado I present Mr. Barry Rhodes.... 

 

http://www.barryrhodes.com/search?q=nearest+point+of+relief

Great read, thanks!

[Kor.A.Door]

The other thing that was not touched upon is that if you take relief, you have to take full relief. You cannot drop the ball and play with your feet still on the obstruction. Also it may be that the nearest point of relief is on the other side of the path. If dropping in the bushes is farther away from the original point that the other side of the Cart path, then the other side of the path would be your nearest point.