This week’s question uses one of the USGA Model Local Rules that the Eisenhower Golf Club has implemented, namely F-5 Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Greens. I’m talking those sprinkler heads.
The sprinkler heads are an Immovable Obstruction which is one of four defined Abnormal Course Conditions (the other three are Animal Hole, Ground Under Repair, and Temporary Water).
Rule 16 Relief from Abnormal Course Conditions allows for Free Relief (Yay!) if the condition interferes with your ball, stance, intended swing and if the ball is on the green, you also get relief for your Line of Play (ex: temporary water on the green). The Committee (aka Eisenhower Golf Club) can implement a Local Rule if the Abnormal Course Condition interferes with Line of Play if the ball is off the green. Which it did.
So, can you take relief from a sprinkler head just off the putting green fringe?
Question #8. Your ball lies just off the 2-ft wide putting green fringe and about a foot from two sprinkler heads located just off the fringe as well. There is no interference to your ball, stance or any intended swing. If you choose to putt, the sprinkler heads are in your Line of Play. If you choose to chip, you’ll take a different line so that the sprinkler heads are not in the Line of Play. If you have one, where is your Relief Area from all interference?
a. You don’t have one, you’re screwed.
b. From the nearest point of relief, you create a one-club radius semi-circle, no closer to the hole. The relief area can only include the rough.
c. From the nearest point of relief, you create a one-club radius semi-circle, no closer to the hole. The relief area can only include the rough and fringe.
d. From the nearest point of relief, you create a one-club radius semi-circle, no closer to the hole. The relief area can include the rough, fringe and putting green.
e. From the nearest point of relief, you create a two-club radius semi-circle, no closer to the hole. The relief area includes the rough, fringe and putting green.
f. From the nearest point of relief, you create a two-club radius semi-circle, no closer to the hole. The relief area can only include the rough and fringe.
g. From the nearest point of relief, you create a two-club radius semi-circle, no closer to the hole. The relief area can only include the rough.
**********
Question #7.
On Blue #12, Par 4, there has been a sprinkler malfunction that has filled up the back green side bunker with water. And that’s where you find yourself after sculling a wedge from 120 yards out. You choose the back-on-line relief option that has you dropping outside the bunker, no nearer the hole. What is the penalty, if any?
- No penalty
- One stroke
- Two strokes
Uh-Oh. Of the TWENTY-FOUR that responded, only TWELVE answered correctly with “b. One stroke”. Rule 16.1c Relief from Abnormal Course Condition in Bunker makes it clear that if you drop outside the bunker, it’s one penalty stroke. Under Rule 19.3 Relief Options for Unplayable Ball in Bunker, it’s a two stroke penalty if the back-on-the-line option is outside the bunker.
Side note, this ever happen to you? https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bkYy5TI4CAI
Tom McKernan
Rules & Handicaps
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