05 Jan '09

RULE: Over the Fence & Out

Over the fence in backyard cricket is six and out! But what about in GOLF?? When is my ball OB? What options do I have if my ball MIGHT be OB?

Firstly, at NGC, out of bounds is defined by white stakes with black tops, or white fence posts with black tops. Out of bounds is determined by the nearest inside points at ground level of the stakes or fence posts.

When is my ball actually out of bounds? A ball is out of bounds when all of it lies OB.

In the photo which of the balls A, B or C are OB? 

Only ball C lies out of bounds, since all of it is OB. My luck is in with ball B as part of the ball is still in bounds.

O.K. so my ball at A and B are still in play. But the fence posts and wires are in my way.

Can I obtain relief from these made made objects? Are they obstructions?

"Objects defining out of bounds such as walls, fences, stakes   and railings are NOT obstructions and are deemed to be fixed." So you must play the ball as it lies, with no relief from the posts (or stakes) and wires."

 

 

O.K. - I can wear that, after all I hit the ball there!

But can I stand on the OB side of the fence to hit my ball?

Yes, "A player may stand out of bounds to play a ball lying within bounds." Good luck with this shot!

 

So my ball was really ball C, out of bounds. Now what do I do? Can I drop a ball there within 1 or 2 clublengths of C?

NO - NOT LIKELY! "If a ball is out of bounds, the player must play a ball, under penalty of one stroke, as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played."

 

There is much more about out of bounds - provisional ball, time allowed for a search, what to do when your ball is OB, can I tee my ball if the original shot was from the tee ... read all about it in Rule 27.