One genius on the ERMGC board suggested that I write an article on options and procedures for taking relief under the Rules. Did you ever try to eat a whole steak with one bite? I didn't think so. There are nine rules (rules 20-28) involving relief situations-some of them quite meaty-so we're going to cut this subject into smaller pieces. Let's begin with Rule 24-Obstructions. It's not unusual for a player to find his ball on a cart path, next to a bunker rake, or otherwise in conflict with an obstruction.

Rule 24 was a hot topic following a recent Senior League competition at Encinitas Ranch. On #16, a ball played from the tee came to rest near the brink of the canyon on the left. Bordering this canyon are red stakes marking a lateral water hazard, and a stout wooden barrier to prevent the abrupt disappearance of patrons. The ball was outside of the hazard, but the guardrail, which was within the hazard, prevented the player from making a normal swing toward the green. The player took relief without penalty from this obstructed lie. Was he correct in doing so? Read on.

Generally, relief without penalty is allowed when an Obstruction interferes with "the lie of the ball, the player's stance or the area of his intended swing." Italicized words in the Rules have very specific meanings. Obstruction is defined: anything artificial, including the artificial surfaces and sides of roads and paths and manufactured ice. The definition goes on to make a distinction between immovable and movable obstructions, and to identify a few exceptions, which we will get to later.

First, a word of caution: Don't touch your ball until you can answer 'yes' to both of these questions: 1) Am I allowed relief without penalty? and, 2) Will the allowable relief improve my situation? Taking relief is an option; it is not mandatory. If you hastily pick up your ball and subsequently determine that relief is not allowed, or that relief under the rules will put you in a worse position, you are assessed a one stoke penalty to replace your ball in its original position. You incur the penalty even if you marked the original position.

Next, as in many situations where relief without penalty is allowed, it is essential that you determine the Nearest Point of Relief. This "nearest point" is very specific, and is the reference point for determining the area in which you must drop your ball. "It is the point on the course nearest to where the ball lies, which is not nearer the hole, and at which, if the ball were so positioned, no interference (as defined) would exist."

The player should determine his nearest point of relief by using the club with which he expects to play his next stroke to simulate the address position and swing for such stroke. Sometimes, measurement is necessary to determine the nearest point where relief is obtained. Note: in practicality, there is ONLY ONE nearest point of relief. Sorry, in taking relief from a cart path, you do not have the luxury of choosing which side of the path on which to drop your ball.

Once the reference point for relief is determined, you are required to drop your ball within one club-length of that point, no nearer the hole than that point. (Two club-lengths are never permitted when relief is taken without penalty.) After dropping your ball, make certain that you no longer have any interference from the same condition. For example, if you have taken relief because your ball was on a cart path, you must not be standing on the cart path to play your next stroke, even though the ball is off the path. You must redrop.

If the interference is caused by a movable obstruction (water hazard stake, cart restriction rope, bunker rake, and the like), you must move the object, not the ball. If the ball moves in this process, it must be replaced without penalty.

There is relief when an immovable obstruction interferes with the "area of your intended swing," but no relief simply because the obstruction intervenes on your Line of Play. There is a big difference. In contrast, a movable obstruction can be removed from your line of play anytime, except while your ball is in motion.

You are entitled to relief from an immovable obstruction if your ball lies in a bunker, but the nearest point of relief must be in the bunker and your ball must be dropped in the bunker.

Now, one of those exceptions mentioned earlier: Relief without penalty is not permitted from objects that define out of bounds, or from immovable artificial objects that are out of bounds. Such objects (including the white stakes commonly used to mark OB) are NOT considered obstructions. Example: There is a net separating the practice range from the course. The poles supporting the net define out of bounds. The net itself is out of bounds. There is no relief without penalty from either the poles or the net.

Another exception: If your ball lies in a water hazard, no relief is permitted without penalty from an immovable obstruction (a bridge support, a retaining wall, a drainpipe, or similar construction). However, a movable obstruction (a red stake, an abandoned rulebook, or the like) can be removed.

Okay, let's return to #16 where a player claimed relief without penalty from an obstruction that was situated within a lateral water hazard. The player was correct to proceed as he did. The ball lay Through the Green (not in a hazard). It was irrelevant that the obstruction was in the hazard.

Dick Beckman
April 2003