Linda,
On a
par 3 there is a steep-banked ditch running about 10 yards across the front of
the green. The player’s ball has crossed over the hazard but starts to roll
back towards the ditch, coming to rest against the yellow stake marking the far
side of the hazard.
What
is the correct procedure if, when removing the yellow stake, (a) the ball rolls
down the slope of the bank into the hazard; or (b) rolls just a few inches and
then comes to rest. In both cases the ball is not nearer the hole.
Thanks for your attention.
Regards,
Lou from Muswell
Hill, London
Dear
Lou,
If
the ball moves due to the removal of the stake, the ball must be replaced [Rule
24-1a].
Please
remember that a ball touching a hazard stake is in the hazard. All restrictions for a ball in a water hazard are in
effect (e.g., the player may not ground his club; the player may not touch or
move loose impediments, etc. – see Rule 13-4).
If
the stake is immovable (or deemed
immovable by the Committee), the player is not entitled to relief [Rule 24-2b,
Note 1]. He must play the ball as it lies, or choose one of the relief options
in Rule 26-1, all of which will require that he play his next shot behind the
hazard (on the tee side of the hazard, not the green side).
Linda
Copyright © 2016 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
