Relief

Question
Hi

I play with people that belive you can seek relief (drop without penalty) from a ball that comes to rest on or in a surface drain on the course or similarly damaged ground caused from the tire of a  caretakers machine.  I have looked in the rules under immovable objects, ground under repair and abnormal ground conditions and it is not clear other than if the committee chooses to specifically provide for such relief in the courses specific local rules. Are they allowed relief if not expressly stated so in the course local rules.  Thanks in advance.

Rgds-Mike

Answer
Hello mike,

I will try my best to answer this question.  I believe the surface drain would fall under an immovable obstruction (maybe rule 24).  in this case you would be able to find the nearest point of relieve and drop within one club length without penalty.  A cart path is also considered an immovable object.  Basically anything that is man made and you can't move it would be considered an immovable object and you would get relief as long as it is in play.  Now as far as the tire mark of the machine is concerned i don't believe you would get relief from that one unless it is very muddy and rainy and the course says you can get relief, but most tire marks and such you have to play the ball where it lies.  However, I will say that most golf courses do provide relief if they are deep tire tracks under the ground under repair rule even though they don't mark them as such.  You can check with the head professional and he would tell you if that is the case.  If he says no then you must play that ball where it lies.  I hope this helps you.   

Jason