Some strange things have happened on golf courses over the years and the Rules need to be comprehensive enough to cover myriad scenarios. Even experienced rules experts sometimes encounter a situation that can be confusing. No matter how strange the situation though, there will be a rule to guide you in the right direction.
Here we consider three key rules fundamentals that might at first glance appear confusing but, if you know how to interpret them, they can help you avoid making rules mistakes.
Taking relief from an abnormal ground condition or immovable obstruction – Is it unreasonable?
Were you really going to stand like that?
(Image credit: Kevin Murray)
Rule 16.1 deals with relief from abnormal ground conditions, including immovable obstructions. 16.1a(3) says there is no relief when it’s clearly unreasonable.
But clearly unreasonable is a term which would be up for debate and one where, in amateur golf, if no referee is present, players will have to display integrity and honesty.
So, if your ball is in a bush where you can’t even get to it, let alone make a swing at it – It’s clearly unreasonable that you would be entitled to relief from, say a drain cover.
If you’re making some sort of ludicrous stance to try and get your foot on a sprinkler head or down a rabbit hole, playing in a different direction to the one you would normally, and taking a different club from the one you’d normally use, it’s clearly unreasonable to expect free relief.
What you have to say is – If this immovable obstruction wasn’t here. How would I be addressing this ball? What shot would I be playing? If the immovable obstruction doesn’t interfere with lie, swing or stance when you simulate that situation, it’s clearly unreasonable for you to take relief.
Advice – Look but don’t touch.
No touching another player’s equipment to see what club they hit…
(Image credit: Kevin Murray)
Rule 10.2a says a player must not give advice to anyone in the competition who is playing the course nor ask anyone for advice other than their caddie (or a shared caddie).
Advice in the definitions of the Rules is – a comment or action that influences a player in choosing a club, making a stroke or deciding how to play a hole (or round).
There’s a general penalty of two shots or loss of…
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