AboutMichael Hoffman Expertise I have been a golf professional since 1981. I was elected into the PGA in 1987. I attained my master clubfitter certificate in 1992. I have given thousands of lessons over the years and I can answer questions about instruction, golf in general, rules, equipment, practice techniques etc.
I have served served on the board of directors of the Southern Texas PGA for twelve years and was the President from 2002-2003.
Experience I started as as assistant golf professional in 1981. I have been a head golf professional at several clubs as well as the general manager at two clubs. I am master clubfitter and have given many individual as well as group lessons over the years. I was the President of the Southern Texas PGA 4 years ago. I have been a rules official for the tour qualifying school as well as other events. I have won the Merchandiser of the year award in our section twice.
Question My opponent in Match Play pulled his drive into the left rough.He was blocked out by a tree. He stated there was casual water interfering with his stance. I agreed he could take relief. He dropped the ball about fifteen feet away in the fairway. Was this a breech of the rules?
Answer Greg,
It may not of been. He gets to take relief at the nearest point. If it was there in the fairway then he was not in breach of the rules.
Read below for the rule and relief from the USGA web site..
DEFINITIONS
The Definitions are listed alphabetically and, in the Rules themselves, defined terms are in italics.
Abnormal Ground Conditions
An "abnormal ground condition" is any casual water, ground under repair or hole, cast or runway on the course made by a burrowing animal, a reptile or a bird.
RULE 25
Interference by an abnormal ground condition occurs when a ball lies in or touches the condition or when the condition interferes with the player's stance or the area of his intended swing. If the player's ball lies on the putting green, interference also occurs if an abnormal ground condition on the putting green intervenes on his line of putt. Otherwise, intervention on the line of play is not, of itself, interference under this Rule.
(i)Through the Green: If the ball lies through the green, the player must lift the ball and drop it, without penalty, within one club-length of and not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief. The nearest point of relief must not be in a hazard or on a putting green. When the ball is dropped within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, the ball must first strike a part of the course at a spot that avoids interference by the condition and is not in a hazard and not on a putting green.
