28 Oct '08

RULE: Relief from a pathway?

On the road again?? What constitute a path way, so I can consider relief?

 When can I get relief from road ways or paths on our golf course?

In this photo, you (for right or left hander) will definitely obtain relief under rule 24 (to nearest point of relief from the obstruction) for ball “C”, as your stance and/or your swing will be interfered with by the concrete path.

Ball “B” is not entitled to relief without penalty under rule 24 for a right hander, as neither your area of intended swing, nor your stance is interfered with by the artificial surface of the path, but a left hander would.

Ball “A” definitely attracts no relief without penalty.

Rules of Golf 2008 - 2011 define an “obstruction” as anything artificial, including the artificial surfaces and sides of roads and paths and manufactured ice, except:

a. Objects defining out of bounds, such as wall, fences, stakes and railings;
b. Any part of an immovable object that is out of bounds; and
c. Any construction declared by committee to be an integral part of the course.

 

Decisions defines “artificial surfaced road or path” as “a road or path to which any foreign material, e.g. concrete, tar, gravel, wood chips, etc has been applied is artificially surfaced and thus an obstruction.”

 

 

Both the balls in this next photo are entitled to relief to nearest point of relief, without penalty. Gravel placed on the path is “artificial surface” and relief can be obtained under rule 24 (obstructions). The ball in the tyre rut is entitled to relief without penalty under the local rule (see the back of the score card).  

 

An obstruction is a movable obstruction if it may be moved without unreasonable effort, without unduly delaying play and without causing damage. Otherwise, it is an immovable obstruction.