(Rs 17.3; 15.2; and16.1a(2)); Def., “Out of Bounds”)

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of James Dickey’s award-winning novel “Deliverance” which was set fictionally in North Georgia, just a few hills and streams over from a couple of the golf courses mentioned frequently in this blog. In fact, Foremost was riding down a stream-lined road the other day thinking about “Deliverance” … and, of course, the Rules of Golf.

For those who didn’t read the book, or see the movie starring Burt Reynolds and Ned Beatty, the story involved four, care-free, city boys from Atlanta who travelled to North Georgia for a canoe trip on a wild and remote river that was destined to be dammed up for a lake. They encounter some good banjo music from some of the locals, but eventually, a bit of savagery as well, as the Ned Beatty character is raped and made to squeal like a pig.

The theme of the book, essentially, is the breakdown of society … that despite our blind reliance in government and laws, and in the inherent goodness of mankind, sometimes institutions fail and people let us down. Where is our government? Where is our law?

In the movie, Burt Reynolds fights back.

So as F was pondering the relevance of “Deliverance” in today’s world, he was able to find some consolation in the fact that the ROG remain trusted and respected, as the fabric of our once-civil society otherwise seems to fray.

Yes, F has time on his hands for thoughts like these!

(1) Facts

Reader JD found his ball on the banks of a raging river on the 15th hole at HCC. (Okay, a small creek). The ball was within the confines of a well-marked Penalty Area resting against an empty plastic water bottle. JD’s stance to advance the ball would place him on the cart path, which was not in the PA.

Issues

Was JD entitled to stance relief from the cart path (an “Immovable Obstruction”), or swing relief from the water bottle (a “Movable Obstruction”)?

Ruling

An “Immovable Obstruction” such as a cart path is an “Abnormal Course Condition” (See, Def. “ACC”). If a player finds his ball in a Penalty Area, he is not entitled to relief from an ACC. (R17.3).

A player is, however, entitled to relief from a “Movable Obstruction” anywhere on the course, including PAs. (R 15.2a). If the ball moves while the player is removing the Movable Obstruction, there is no penalty but the player must replace his ball.

(2) Facts

In stroke-play team competition, Player BC found his ball resting against the narrow roadway behind the Par 3 4th green at HCC. A white line marking OB was painted faintly on the edge of the pavement, and while the ball was sitting on grass, a portion of the ball clearly extended above the pavement and the white line.

F advised BC that that the ball was in-bounds as all of the ball must be OB for the ball to be deemed OB. (See, Def. “OB”).

BC quickly lifted his ball to take relief from the paved roadway. F immediately suggested this lifting might constitute a penalty, as the roadway marked the OB line, and one cannot take free relief from an Immovable Obstruction that is OB.

Issue

But, did the roadway mark the edge of the boundary?

As the players examined the situation, they considered whether the pavement itself or the painted white line marked the boundary, and that if the white line marked the edge of the boundary, whether BC was entitled to free relief from the small bit of pavement inside the white line.

Ruling

A boundary edge may be defined by a “boundary object”, such as a stake or wall, or by a painted white “line”. It is the obligation of the Committee to define the boundary edge.

As to Hole #4, the HCC Local Rule states, “The nearest edge of the paved road defines the Out of Bounds boundary”. In other words, despite the white painted line, all of the roadway was OB. A player is not entitled to relief from an “ACC” which lies OB. (R 16.1a(2)).

Know your Local Rules!

A Final Boundary Note:

The two above incidents were, of course, handled graciously by the participants, even JD.

Such was not necessarily the case at Muirfield this past Friday as Bryson DeChambeau made a 10 on the Par 5 15th hole to miss the cut. He did not take kindly to a ruling that the boundary was defined by the inside edges of the posts holding a fence, rather than by the inside edge of the railings aligned from the middle of the posts. He vehemently argued his case and rather rudely asked for a second opinion … and lost.

It sure was fun watching that! A good rules dispute! A 10 on a hole!

Sounds like F!

As usual, all comments or corrections are welcome!

Respectfully submitted,

F

*Movie tagline: “Deliverance”