Range ball in bunker is movable obstruction
Q. I have a question I couldn’t find in the "Decisions on the Rules of Golf" and need your help. On the 18th hole at Painted Desert, we have a fairway bunker on the left side that collects range balls throughout the day. A competitor hit his tee shot into the bunker and would have had to stand on a range ball to hit his next shot. Is he allowed to move the range ball or must he stand on it? — Scotty Greer
A. Scotty, a range ball is a movable obstruction and a player may take free relief for lie of the ball, stance, area of intended swing or just because he doesn’t like looking at it. If, when taking relief, the ball moves he would put it back without penalty.
Q. I know that if my ball lies near a live rattlesnake or a bees’ nest, it is considered a dangerous situation under Decision 1-4/10 and I get relief without penalty. Does this include a cactus that has stinging nettles? — Cindy Gale
A. No. The player must either play the ball as it lies or, if applicable, proceed under Rule 26 or Rule 28 and would receive a 1-stroke penalty. Decision 1-4/10 contemplates a situation which is unrelated to conditions normally encountered on the course. Unpleasant lies are a common occurrence which players must accept.
Q. In match play, may I putt out my ball after my putt has been conceded? This happens a lot and we always thought it was a penalty, but our pro says it’s not. — Sharon Mann
A. Well, it depends. A player incurs no penalty for holing out in such circumstances, however, if the act would be of assistance to a partner in four-ball or best-ball match, the partner is, in equity, disqualified for the hole.
Q. My ball was on the fringe of the putting green and my fellow competitor’s ball was in the greenside bunker. He hit his ball out of the bunker and deposited sand all over my ball and the fringe. Do I get any relief? — Jim Doyle
A. Yes, you are entitled to the lie and line of play you had when your ball came to rest on the fringe. Accordingly, in equity you would be entitled to remove the sand deposited by the fellow competitor’s stroke and lift your ball and clean it, without penalty.
Q. We have a hole on our course that has a bunker directly adjacent to a lateral water hazard. My ball was touching the line defining the lateral water hazard but also part of it was touching the bunker. Was I in the bunker or the lateral water hazard? — Myrna Robertson
A. Your ball is considered to lie in the lateral water hazard.
Sue May is a U.S. Open rules official, a member of the USGA Senior Women’s committee and tournament director of the Women’s Trans National Championship. Address your rules questions to suemay@cox.net.
