I was playing golf today and my ball came to rest off the back of the green in a collection area. I wanted to putt the ball rather than chip the ball as the collection area was short fringe like grass so this was the best play. The problem was that there were two sprinkler heads blocking my direct line to the flag (which was blue). The sprinklers were almost side by side and were about 6″-8″ wide and they were not the flush to the ground type…these were the type that are about 1/2″ below the ground level and the holes we about 3″ deep. I told the other 3 players I was playing with that I was entitled to relief but they didn’t believe me… so what’s the verdict?

Read about Local Rule on page 92 of the Rules of Golf book and also Item 5 in Appendix I on pages 100-101.

Answer: The answer to your question is dependent on whether the club, course or tournament you are playing in has a Local Rule in effect granting relief for immovable obstructions within 2 club-lengths of the green when your ball is within 2 club-lengths of the obstruction and the obstruction is on the line of play to the hole.  Since this is a collection area with short grass where putting the ball is a viable and perhaps preferred option check with the club regarding the implementation of the Local Rule.

Without the Local Rule being in effect, there is only obstruction relief available under Rule 24 which does not include line of play.

This article was filed under Rules Situations.
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