An NCGA members-only outing is scheduled for Salinas GCC Saturday, April 12. The 1:00 shotgun start is one of the few member outings scheduled for a weekend and registration is still available. Green fees, cart, tee prize from Nike Golf, lunch, prize pool and post-round hors d’oeuvres are included in the $110 price.
Ball A is played from the tee. The player properly plays a provisional ball, Ball B, which comes to rest in the fairway farther from the hole than where Ball A is likely to be.
As the player approaches Ball B, a fellow-competitor says “I think I see your ball ahead in the rough”.
The player, an expert on the Rules, knows that he is permitted to continue play of the provisional ball until he plays a stroke at the provisional ball near where the original ball is likely to be. The player plays a stroke with Ball B. An official arrives on the scene to assist the player.
[Is the player permitted to play a stroke at the provisional ball or is he required to identify the ball which may be his ball?]
What is the proper ruling? Answer
At a recent collegiate stroke-play event:
A player is taking relief for a ball deemed unplayable. The player elects to drop a ball within two club-lengths of the original position of the ball, no nearer the hole. The player drops a ball on a cart path on a spot which satisfies the relief procedure. The ball bounces straight up in the air and the player catches the ball.
As we often say, “Now what?” Answer
At a recent collegiate stroke-play event:
A player’s tee shot heads toward “bad country” in the desert. The player’s coach says “You should play a provisional ball”. The player responds “No, I don’t want to find that ball”. The player plays another ball (Ball B) which lands in the same general area as Ball A but slightly closer to the hole.
The player finds Ball B and declares it unplayable. The player’s coach finds Ball A and tells the player that she is required to play Ball A. The player leaves Ball B and returns to Ball A. The player declares Ball A unplayable, lifts Ball A and drops Ball A on the “flagline”, proceeding under Rule 28b.
At scoring, the facts of the incident are discussed with the officials.
What is the proper ruling? Answer
Assume stroke play and strokes were made after the drops:
1) Player A finds his ball in a divot hole in the fairway. Player A lifts his ball and drops it in the fairway about three club-lengths to the side of its original position.
2) Player B finds his ball in a divot hole in the fairway. Player B lifts his ball, substitutes another ball and drops it in the fairway about three club-lengths to the side of its original position.
3) Player C finds his ball in a divot hole in the fairway. Player C, without lifting his original ball, drops a substituted ball in the fairway about three club-lengths to the side of its original position.
4) Player D finds his ball in a divot hole in the fairway. Player D declares his ball unplayable, lifts his ball and drops it in the fairway about three club-lengths to the side of its original position.
5) Player E finds his ball in a divot hole in the fairway. Player E declares his ball unplayable, drops a substituted ball in the fairway about three club-lengths to the side of its original position.
6) Player F arrives at an area in the rough where he thought his tee shot might have come to rest. Not seeing his ball and to save some time, Player F drops another ball and continues play.
7) Player G arrives at an area in the rough where he thought his tee shot might have come to rest. Not seeing his ball and to save some time, Player G declares his original ball unplayable, drops another ball and continues play of the hole.
Poppy Hills has created a two-day instruction program that includes on-course instruction at both Poppy Hills and Spyglass Hill.
I was playing golf today and my ball came to rest off the back of the green in a collection area. I wanted to putt the ball rather than chip the ball as the collection area was short fringe like grass so this was the best play. The problem was that there were two sprinkler heads blocking my direct line to the flag (which was blue). The sprinklers were almost side by side and were about 6″-8″ wide and they were not the flush to the ground type…these were the type that are about 1/2″ below the ground level and the holes we about 3″ deep. I told the other 3 players I was playing with that I was entitled to relief but they didn’t believe me… so what’s the verdict?
Read about Local Rule on page 92 of the Rules of Golf book and also Item 5 in Appendix I on pages 100-101.
Answer: The answer to your question is dependent on whether the club, course or tournament you are playing in has a Local Rule in effect granting relief for immovable obstructions within 2 club-lengths of the green when your ball is within 2 club-lengths of the obstruction and the obstruction is on the line of play to the hole. Since this is a collection area with short grass where putting the ball is a viable and perhaps preferred option check with the club regarding the implementation of the Local Rule.
Without the Local Rule being in effect, there is only obstruction relief available under Rule 24 which does not include line of play.
The NCGA and NCGA Foundation are happy to offer NCGA members and their guests the opportunity to attend the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines June 12-15.
The NCGA’s handicap service, the USGA’s Golf Handicap Information Network, is upgrading its server to improve services.
The CAG, a consortium of prominent golf associations in Northern and Southern California, has launched its website.
Your NCGA membership just got even more valuable with the introduction of new twilight rates and a practice program at Poppy Hills:
Registration is now available for several upcoming NCGA members-only outings.
The NCGA Junior Tour stopped in the Central Valley at Stevinson Ranch for the second event of the multi-event tour. Read the rest of this entry »