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Joined: 1/25/2008
Posts: 19
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I played at L'Auberge in LA this past weekend. They had quite a bit of rain and there is quite abit of water already on the course. On a par 5 the water had over flowed and was coming on to the course. My ball landed along side where the water had reached. Now normally there is no water there. What is the ruling, as far as my stance and getting a drop. The ball was in alot of saturated grass and my stance was in the water.
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Joined: 1/24/2008
Posts: 184
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The official ruling is that you must play that shot exactly like Henrik Stenson.
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Joined: 1/17/2008
Posts: 493
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The rules state that casual water causing interference with the stance or the ball, the player is allowed a free drop one club length not nearer the hole, unless the local Rules committee states otherwise. Also you should understand the terminology of nearest point of relief.
MJ, TOSTSTP
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Joined: 1/17/2008
Posts: 60
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MJ is correct. But here's a tip using the rules in your favor to possibly gain a better lie, if needed, that not many know about. I added the bold underlined text on the point I wanted to make to the rules in the paragraph below. Sometimes you don't see the water either in the fairway or rough, especially if the grass is thick in the rough. But when taking a stance, the water comes up over your soles on your shoes. I've deemed this situation to be a temporary accumulation of water and taken the free drop on dryer ground as MJ alluded to. Casual Water
"Casual water" is any temporary accumulation of water on the course that is not in a water hazard and is visible before or after the player takes his stance. Snow and natural ice, other than frost, are either casual water or loose impediments, at the option of the player. Manufactured ice is an obstruction. Dew and frost are not casual water. A ball is in casual water when it lies in or any part of it touches the casual water.
mikeintopeka
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Joined: 1/25/2008
Posts: 19
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Thanks for the helpful info fella's. I did get a drop from the guys I was playing with, but one of them was very much against me getting the drop. Maybe because we were playing for a few dollars.
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Joined: 1/17/2008
Posts: 60
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Thank you, Sarge, for your service, Sir. Keep this in mind the next time there is a dispute on a ruling. You can declare and play a provisional ball with the drop AND the original ball as it lays and keep score on both. Then when you return to the pro shop ask the pro for a ruling. I've posted that I have had to do this on a disagreement over an inbedded ball on another thread.
mikeintopeka
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Joined: 1/17/2008
Posts: 60
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This occurance happened last year in a 'friendly' match and fits this thread. My opponent had a drive end up on the cart path. His nearest relief for a free drop was going to put his ball in thick rough and he'd be standing in deep grass when he took his stance. He wanted to drop the ball on the other side of the cart path, not nearer the hole, because it gave him 'relief'. I stressed the word nearest and he took my advice and played the ball on in from the deep rough but he was not a happy camper. He did ask the pro when we finished if we made a correct ruling and we did so all ended well. I now carry one of those pocket sized Rules of Golf in my bag...
mikeintopeka
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