Hi Linda,
My query pertains to seeking relief from abnormal ground
conditions on the green. There is GUR on a portion of the green. As per a local
rule, play is prohibited from the GUR.
Could you please clarify this particular section of Rule 25-1b:
(iii) On the Putting Green: If the ball lies on
the putting green, the player must lift the ball and place it, without
penalty, at the nearest point of relief that is not in a hazard,
or if complete relief is impossible, at the nearest position to where it lay
that affords maximum available relief from the condition, but not nearer
the hole and not in a hazard. The nearest
point of relief or maximum available relief may be off
the putting green.
I am confused by the following:
1. What do "complete relief is impossible…” and
"maximum available relief from the condition…” imply?
2. Last sentence marked in red: It seems that besides
nearest point of relief there is also an "or" regarding maximum
relief. Doesn't that imply it could be either nearest point of relief or maximum available relief? Of course
the cardinal rule of not nearer the hole would always apply.
Many thanks,
Lulu from India
Dear Lulu,
The procedure for taking relief from an abnormal ground
condition on the putting green is different from the procedure elsewhere on the
course. Players are always entitled to relief if their ball lies in the abnormal
condition, or if the condition interferes with their stance or the area of
their intended swing. On the putting green, they are additionally entitled to
relief if the condition interferes on their line of putt. In other words, if
your putt will have to roll through an abnormal condition on its way to the
hole, you get relief.
When you seek relief from ground under repair (GUR) on the
putting green, your first obligation is to find the nearest point of relief no
closer to the hole where you will get complete relief – not just for the ball,
your stance, and your swing, but also for the line of putt. This point must be
at the spot nearest to where your ball lay (not in a hazard), and may turn out
to be off the putting surface.
In cases where complete relief is not available, the
player is entitled to seek out the nearest point of relief that provides the maximum available relief. Perhaps
casual water has collected around the hole, or there is damage surrounding the
hole that has been marked as GUR. If you encounter such situations, you must
inspect the abnormal ground condition and choose the line where it will least
interfere with your putt. (In the case of casual water, for example, the
point providing the maximum available relief would be the point where you would
be putting through the shallowest water.) You will then place your ball at
the nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole and not in a hazard, where
your putt will have the least interference from the abnormal ground condition.
The location where you will get the maximum relief from the condition may turn
out to be off the green. It may also turn out to be on the green on the other
side of the hole. You don’t get to choose – you are limited to the nearest point.
Your first obligation is to find
complete relief at the nearest spot to where your ball lies that is no closer
to the hole and not in a hazard. When complete relief is not possible (because
the condition surrounds the hole), you must find the nearest point no closer to
the hole where you will have the least interference (the point where you get maximum
relief). In either case, you must observe the requirement to find the nearest
spot. You are not automatically entitled to a spot on the putting surface. If
the nearest spot is off the green in the rough, you are obligated to place your
ball in the rough.
Linda
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