Relief

Golf Rules:
Among the many things that can make a day on the course less enjoyable than planned is an encounter with a rule that neither you or your playing partners can confidently define and execute. Hopefully, this feature on our web page will help to eliminate any confusion or frustrations with the “Rules of Golf”.
Cart Path Relief:
One of the most common rules situations we encounter is taking proper relief when our ball misbehaves and concludes its journey on or along a cart path. If you have a rulebook, this occurrence is covered by “Rule 24-2. Immovable Obstruction”.

That’s right, a cart path is an “immovable obstruction” and as such you are entitled free relief from it if the path/obstruction is an interference to either your stance or the area of your intended swing. Remember, you are not required to take relief from the obstruction, playing the ball as it lies at times may be a more viable option.

 The tricky part is knowing how to execute the relief you are afforded. Paraphrased, your relief is the nearest point on the course (relative to the ball’s position on the cart path/obstruction) that is not closer to the hole and not in a hazard. This “point” is determined by taking a normal stance with a club in hand. The “point” is the spot where your club head touches the ground at normal address. In other words, take a stance and address on both sides of the path and determine which of theses two “points” meets the criteria of being the nearest to the ball’s current position and is no closer to the hole.  This “point” could vary for a right or left handed player with the same ball position on the cart path/obstruction.

You proceed in taking relief from the obstruction by marking the “point” determined above with a tee. Then place a second tee one club length away from the first tee (no nearer the hole). Drop the ball between the two tees and no nearer the hole. Re-dropping the ball is required if the ball crosses the line between the tees nearer the hole, rolls more than two club lengths from the line between tees or rolls back onto the obstruction or into a hazard. If the ball has moved in any of these directions on the drop and re-drop, a third drop is made and the ball should be placed at the point it hit the ground on the third drop.

Local/Lake Padden Rules:

Just a reminder that our course’s local rule for a ball hit into and lost in the woods and trees is relief within two club lengths, no nearer the hole, from where the ball entered the trees, under the penalty of one stroke. This relief is not an option if you look for and find the ball originally struck.

“Winter Rules” allows for lift, clean and placement within 6 inches of the ball’s marked position, not a full club length like we sometimes see on television with the big boys and girls. Also, be aware of whether the “Winter Rules” are through the green or fairway only.

Got a Rules Question?

E-mail us your rules question(s) or rules you would like to see addressed in this feature. We’ll be glad to address them the best we can.