Linda,
Player hits the ball and it lands in a narrow space between
the cart path and a bunker. In relief, he takes his stance in the space and
grounds his club, marking this spot with a tee. He measures with a club, no
closer to the hole, the next spot with a tee. Unfortunately, that next spot is
in the bunker with over half of the club extending into the bunker. Does he have
to take relief within the half club-length area or does he take relief
elsewhere?
Thanks,
Lou from Georgetown, Texas
Dear Lou,
The player must drop in that half-club-length area.
The Rules require that a free drop away from an immovable
obstruction be within one
club-length of the nearest point of relief; they do not state that the player
is entitled to a full club-length of relief.
This is yet another example of why players should assess
their relief before lifting the ball. If your stance after the drop will be in
a bunker, with the ball way above your feet, you might prefer to hit it as it
lies on the cart path.
Linda
Copyright © 2016 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
