Forum > Rules and Etiquette

Chris Perry

OK, this nearly happened to me the other day and it got me thinking "what would the ruling be?"

The course I was playing is doing some work on one of the holes (remodelling the tee boxes, narrowing the fairway and some landscaping).  I pushed my ball right off the tee, saw the flight and saw the ball come down in an area clearly marked as GUR.  This area is being landscaped and at the time was cut up like a ploughed field.  I went in to look for my ball and after giving up I luckily stumbled on it as I walked out of the GUR area.  

Now I know the ruling is to take free relief not nearer the pin, but what if you can't find your original ball, being absolutly certain it went into the GUR?  Is it the long walk back for stroke and distance or can you play another ball if you are "virtually certain" that your ball is in the marked area?  And what do you do if you cannot get into this area to recover your original ball?  Answers on a postcard (or this thread).

Darren Millichip

Chris

this is something that is in effect at grassmoor golf club nr chesterfield, at the side of the fairways where the improvement is taking place there is little notices explaining the "local rule" that it is GUR and free relief  is in effect even if you cannot locate your ball but are certain it is within the GUR area

admittedly this is just a local rule

D H

25-1c. Ball in Abnormal Ground Condition Not Found

It is a question of fact whether a ball that has not been found after having been struck toward an abnormal ground condition is in such a condition. In order to apply this Rule, it must be known or virtually certain that the ball is in the abnormal ground condition. In the absence of such knowledge or certainty, the player must proceed under Rule 27-1.

If it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found is in an abnormal ground condition, the player may take relief under this Rule. If he elects to do so, the spot where the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the abnormal ground condition must be determined and, for the purpose of applying this Rule, the ball is deemed to lie at this spot and the player must proceed as follows:

(i)Through the Green: If the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the abnormal ground condition at a spot through the green, the player may substitute another ball, without penalty, and take relief as prescribed in Rule 25-1b(i).

(ii) In a Bunker: If the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the abnormal ground condition at a spot in a bunker, the player may substitute another ball, without penalty, and take relief as prescribed in Rule 25-1b(ii).

(iii)In a Water Hazard (including a Lateral Water Hazard): If the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the abnormal ground condition at a spot in a water hazard, the player is not entitled to relief without penalty. The player must proceed under Rule 26-1.

(iv)On the Putting Green: If the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the abnormal ground condition at a spot on the putting green, the player may substitute another ball, without penalty, and take relief as prescribed in Rule 25-1b(iii).