KNOW THE RULES
Member Jeannette Brophy recently offi ciated at the Senior Foursomes Leinster Semi-fi nal
and Finals in Ashbourne GC on 1st July. She was called to make a ruling which is described
below:
One of the player’s balls went into a bunker and ended up in a rabbit hole, which extended
beyond the margin of the bunker. The player sought relief and asked for advice on her
options.
The ground above had been marked GUR, so in effect the ball was in GUR. (The defi nition
of GUR is that it extends vertically downwards, but not upwards). As result, the player was
able to take relief from GUR and not the rabbit hole, and drop outside the bunker, within
one club length, not nearer the hole - a nicer result than having a drop in the bunker.
The Rule to refer to is Rule 25-1b, namely
Relief… (i) Through the Green If the ball lies through the green, the player must lift the
ball and drop it without penalty, with 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 fi rst strike a part of the course at a spot that avoids interference by the condition
and is not is a hazard and not on the putting green.
There is a decision in the Decisions on the Rules of Golf, similar to the situation
encountered at Ashbourne:
D25-1b/25 - Ball Enters Burrowing Animal Hole in Bunker and Is Found Underneath
Putting Green:
Q. A ball enters a burrowing animal
hole in a greenside bunker and is found
underneath the putting green. As the ball is
not in the bunker or on the putting green,
is relief taken in accordance with Rule 25-1b
(i), i.e. through the green?
A. Yes. The player would drop the ball
without penalty on a part of the course
through the green within one club-length
of the nearest point to its position in
the burrowing animal hole that avoids
interference from the condition and is
not in a hazard, not on a putting green
and not nearer the hole.
If you have come across any unusual situations on a golf course which started with a
scratch of the head and then a delve into the rule book please feel free to share with
fellow members in FORE... drop details into the offi ce marked attn. Editor FORE