Fixed Obstruction

[fixyurdivot]

A player in our group this past Saturday hit his drive into the desertscape area.  The ball was close enough to the cart path that he could get relief for stance.  In line with his shot, approximately 20 feet forward of his ball, was one of those power boxes (~12" square and 3' high).  He thought he should get relief for that as well... was he correct?  If no, would it matter how close he was to the obstruction (i.e. impeded his swing)?

The rest of us were pretty sure he did not get relief other than for stance off the path... but we wondered if we were correct.  I think this is covered under rule 16, and since his swing path was not impeded, we were correct.

https://www.randa.org/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-16#16_1a

Edited April 1 by fixyurdivot

[RickyBobby_PR]

I would agree 16.1a is the correct rule and decision. 

[cnosil]

2 hours ago, fixyurdivot said:

A player in our group this past Saturday hit his drive into the desertscape area.  The ball was close enough to the cart path that he could get relief for stance.  In line with his shot, approximately 20 feet forward of his ball, was one of those power boxes (~12" square and 3' high).  He thought he should get relief for that as well... was he correct?  If no, would it matter how close he was to the obstruction (i.e. impeded his swing)?

The rest of us were pretty sure he did not get relief other than for stance off the path... but we wondered if we were correct.  I think this is covered under rule 16, and since his swing path was not impeded, we were correct.

https://www.randa.org/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-16#16_1a

Yes, he gets relief from the path.   As stated the power box could be considered an obstruction if:

• The player’s ball touches or is in or on an abnormal course condition,
• An abnormal course condition physically interferes with the player’s area of intended stance or area of intended swing, or
• Only when the ball is on the putting green, an abnormal course condition on or off the putting green intervenes on the line of play.

If the abnormal course condition is close enough to distract the player but does not meet any of these requirements, there is no interference under this Rule.

 

If the box did not interfere with his stance or swing then he does not get relief.   

[fixyurdivot]

5 hours ago, cnosil said:

Yes, he gets relief from the path.   As stated the power box could be considered an obstruction if:

• The player’s ball touches or is in or on an abnormal course condition,
• An abnormal course condition physically interferes with the player’s area of intended stance or area of intended swing, or
• Only when the ball is on the putting green, an abnormal course condition on or off the putting green intervenes on the line of play.

If the abnormal course condition is close enough to distract the player but does not meet any of these requirements, there is no interference under this Rule.

 

If the box did not interfere with his stance or swing then he does not get relief.   

Cool, sounds like we got that one right.  I think he was just afraid the ball might hit it.  Thanks.