Hi Linda,
If the ball is touching the out of bounds stake, is it not
out of bounds?
I have always believed golf is opposite to tennis. In tennis
if it is touching the line it is in play. In golf if it is touching the out of
bounds line or stake it is out of bounds.
Am I right or wrong?
Thanks for helping us to play better golf by understanding
the rules.
Lou
Dear Lou,
Would that golf rules were as simple as tennis rules!
Here is a guide to where your ball lies with respect to
different areas on the golf course. If the suspense is killing you, scroll to
the bottom to find the answer to your question.
A ball is in a bunker when any part of the ball touches the
bunker.
A ball is in casual water when any part of it touches the
casual water.
A ball is in ground under repair (GUR) when any part of it
touches the GUR. If the GUR is defined by stakes, the stakes are in the GUR.
These stakes are obstructions, so you will always get free relief if these
stakes interfere with your shot (meaning interference with your stance or the
area of your intended swing).
A ball is in a water hazard when any part of it touches the
hazard. If the hazard is defined by lines, the lines are in the hazard.
Therefore, if any part of your ball touches the line, the ball is in the
hazard. When it is defined by stakes only, the stakes are in the hazard, and so
is your ball if it touches the stake. When your ball is not in the hazard, the
stakes are obstructions. You may remove them if possible and permitted; you get
free relief if they are not removable. If your ball is in the hazard, there is
no free relief from the stakes if they are immovable, but you may remove them if they are movable [Rule 24-1 and 24-2b, Note 1].
A ball is on the putting green when any part of it touches
the putting green.
But…
A ball is out of bounds (OB) when all of it lies out of bounds. If part of your ball is touching the
OB line, and part of it is touching the golf course, it is not OB. If it is on
the golf course, leaning against a stake, it is not OB. Stakes defining OB are not obstructions. They are what is
called “fixed.” You may not remove them. There is no free relief if any object
that defines OB interferes with your shot (stakes, fences, walls, etc.).
Perhaps a better way to remember this is that a ball is on the golf course (not OB) if
any part of the ball touches the course or any part of it overhangs the golf course.
Linda
Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
