Rules Walkthrough
Rules Walkthrough
T
Make Your Move
he photo here shows a competitor on
the 14th hole during the 73rd Four-Ball
Championship at the Course at Yale. The
player’s ball lies on a dirt cart path and he
is seeking help from official Ron Drapeau to
discuss his relief options.
According to the Rules of Golf, an
artificially surfaced road or path is an
obstruction to which relief is granted. However,
in the picture illustrated here, the area is simply
a worn dirty area where carts have driven.
Such is the case when the competitor can refer
to the CSGA “Hard Card”, which includes Local
Rules and Conditions for CSGA Competitions.
One of such conditions details “Roads and
Paths”, deeming all improved roads, paths and
their extensions to be obstructions, whether or
not they are artificially surfaced. In this case,
relief is granted!
Unfortunately for this competitor, we’re
not done yet. The competitor is entitled to the
nearest point of relief, plus one club length,
from this path. However, the nearest point of
completer relief brings him into the knee-high
fescue to his right. In this case, it is important
to remember that the nearest point of relief
is just that- one point. It is not a choice,
regardless of where that one point is.
Weighing his options, the golfer decided
to play the ball as it lies, and was able to save
his par. When faced with a situation like this, be
sure to weigh your options before deciding to
take relief picking up your ball. In this case, it
saved the competitor at least a stroke!
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Connecticut State Golf Association