Rules Examples

The Rules of Golf are extensive and can be quite complex.  Those that watch the game on TV have probably seen examples where even seasoned Professionals and Tournament officials disagree. 

It is important that whenever we play in the Gaffers league events the rules are treated the same by all who are playing, so this section includes some examples where there has been some discussion amongst players. The intent is to provide guidance on how to handle such conditions. 

If during play a discussion arises about rules and interpretations, please feel free to contact me (Rick) and describe the situation. I may add the condition to the examples for others to see.  

Example A: A ball is sitting in the playing area, but close to a Penalty area that is also a No Play Zone (e.g Hole #12).

The stroke (stance and/or swing) will be affected by a plant overhanging the edge of the regularly mown area which is the line of the Penalty Area under Local Rule #8. However, any parts of plants from NPZs that overhang the playing area are not protected so free relief is not allowed in that specific condition.

Example B: On Hole #14 a ball is hit into the small stand of trees approaching the green towards the left (Local Rules: Gaffers Penalty Area)

This is covered by the Penalty Area arrangement and so Penalty Relief may be taken. One of the options is 'back on the line' from the flag to the point where the ball entered the penalty area. It is important to understand that 'line' is not the line of travel when the ball entered the Penalty Area.

Example C: Ball is at the edge of the playing area and a Penalty Area including a No Play Zone (NPZ)

As part of our Local Rules the line of the Penalty Area is deemed to be outside the regularly mown area. So if the ball is sitting on or even just touching the mown area slightly, then it is in play. If it is not in or touching the mown area it is in the Penalty Area and Penalty Relief must be taken. 

Example D: Ball is situated by a tree root that may cause damage to equipment or person were a shot to be attempted.

Generally there are few rules in golf that give a free drop as the result of any natural impediment. There are exceptions for Abnormal Course Conditions but they do not include tree roots. If you do not wish to 'play it as it lies' you must take penalty relief (within two club lengths, not closer to the hole; or back on a line from the flag through where the ball was situated).  

Example E: Poor lie, improved by repositioning the ball

You must play the ball where it lies, irrespective of whether it is a good lie or not. You cannot 'improve' your lie by repositioning the ball to a better spot nearby. There are circumstances where relief is allowed, sometimes with a penalty and in some special cases such as when the ball or your stance is on a cart path, where is it permitted as a 'abnormal course condition'. However there is no general allowance to reposition the ball without taking relief under the rules. 

Example F: A simple guide to handling 'Back on a Line' relief.

If you need to take relief (penalty or free relief) and want to consider the 'back on the line' option, try this simple approach. If you are not certain you want to do this first mark the reference point either where the ball was positioned or the best estimate of where it entered a penalty area. Then lay a club down on the ground and align the club shaft with a direct line to the flag. Now go back away from the hole as far as you like along the line of the club shaft. If there are bushes nearby you may well find that they will interfere with your view, but that is immaterial to 'back on the line'. Once you get far enough back that you do want to play from there, drop the ball on that line (not to the left or right of it). The ball may roll in any direction up to one club length from the point where it landed. If it rolls further, you shoul drop again. Once you have successfully dropped the ball ready to play, pick up the club you used to align the drop!

Further information to consider

Integral Objects: These are man made objects on the course that the 'Committee' is allowed to deemed as 'integral to the course' and therefore a player is not entitled to free relief.  Kitchener Golf has not identified any such objects and so none are defined in the Gaffers Local Rules

Immovable Obstructions: As there are no Integral Objects defined, if one of the following objects interferes with a player's stroke when their ball is in the General Area, they are entitled to 'free relief'.  Note it is only interference with the stroke (stance and swing) not the line to the hole.

Note that relief (if taken) must be at the nearest point of relief (from the specific impediment) to where the ball was at rest. It is NOT necessarily a good lie, nor without interference from something natural like trees, bushes and rough. 

It is the player's choice whether to take relief and so it is advisable to estimate the nearest point of relief to ensure that it improves the situation.

• Fence along the right side of Hole#4. The fence is in the Penalty Area but if your ball is not in the Penalty Area you can take relief from the fence. Relief may cause the ball (or stance) to be on the cart path, in which case further relief may be taken from the point where the dropped ball came to rest.

• Electric Junction box to the right of Hole#6. 

• Pipeline cap just before the fairway on Hole#18

• Pump house to the right on Hole#18. Note that a likely 'nearest point of complete relief' from the Pump House may be towards the river. There is no relief from the trees that would affect that shot.

Announce your decisions: when you need to take relief, with or without a penalty, announce to others in your group what you are doing and why. This is especially important when playing in a Match.  e.g.

• "taking free relief because the ball is in the mown area and my stroke is impeded by the fence"

• "my ball is lost and was not heading towards a penalty area. I'm taking 2 stroke penalty relief out at the fairway"

• "taking free relief from the cart path, but the dropped ball remains on the path, so taking another free relief from there"