Dear readers,
I have received a number of questions in response to Ask Linda
#1308-Ball leaning against hazard stake, all of which wanted to know
whether the player may move a water hazard stake if his ball is leaning against
it.
The answer depends on whether the stake is movable or
immovable:
• If the stake is movable,
the player may remove a water hazard
stake. If the ball moves in the process, there is no penalty and the ball must
be replaced [Rule 24-1a].
• If the stake is immovable,
the player may not remove the stake.
Relief from interference by a water hazard stake depends on whether the ball
lies in the hazard:
1. If the ball lies in the hazard, the player must play the
ball as it lies or take relief under Rule 26 [Rule 24-2b, Note 1].
2. If the ball lies
outside the hazard, the player is entitled to free relief under Rule 24-2b.
Please don’t confuse water hazard stakes with out-of-bounds
stakes. Out-of-bounds stakes are deemed to be “fixed” – you may not remove
them, and there is no free relief if they interfere with your shot.
Linda
Copyright © 2016 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
