Dear Linda,
Is a bridge over a water/lateral water hazard always part of
the hazard or can the Committee define the bridge as being an Integral Part of
the Course?
If they define it as part of the course what relief would
one get if their ball finished underneath that bridge?
Many thanks.
Regards,
Lou from Dublin, Ireland
Dear Lou,
A bridge over a hazard may be defined as an integral part of
the course [Decision 13-4/30].
If a ball under a bridge over a hazard is in the hazard, there is no relief if
the bridge interferes with your swing regardless of how you label the bridge.
If your ball is under the bridge outside the margin of the hazard, you are not entitled to free
relief from the bridge if it has been labeled an integral part of the course. In
that case, if you cannot hit your ball, you must proceed under one of the
options for an unplayable ball and add one penalty stroke to your score.
Moving outside your question but staying on the topic of a
bridge over a hazard, players are reminded that if their ball lies on the bridge, they are entitled to
ground their club if they decide to hit the ball as it lies. This holds true
regardless of whether the bridge has been labeled an integral part of the
course. A player may not ground his club in a hazard, but a bridge is not on
the ground!
Linda
Copyright © 2014 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
