Expert: Skip Ward - 2/3/2007

Question
Hello again Skip: I have been asked by a fellow golfer if I could find an answer for him. He has hit his approach shot to the green and finds that he is about one foot short to the right.Between his ball and the green. is a sprinkler head. He is unable to putt from here because of it. The sprinkler  does not interfer with his stance. Is there no releaf from this spot? Either hit over or around the sprinkler head !  thank for all your help::DOUG::

Answer
Dear Doug, thanks for the question.  Unfortunately because your friend's ball lies just off the green, he is not eligible for relief under Rule 24-2 regarding obstructions.  If the ball had been on the sprinkler head, or as you mentioned, if the sprinkler had interfered with his stance, then he would be able to take relief.  Lastly, if the sprinkler head is actually on the green, he would be able to take relief. (obviously a rare occurrence) Obstructions are not considered such if they lie on your line of shot, unless your ball is on the green.  Thanks again for asking, good luck to you both and remember...

LTG,
skipper