question..

[MusicMan]

in match play...

my ball comes to rest on a rather large rock. if my playing partner allows it, am i allowed to move my ball to the nearest point of relief? no closer to the hole?

[Ginker]

I don't know the official answer but for me its between they guys playing that match.. I wouldn't have a problem giving you relief. If you both agree its ok do it. I am a stickler for the rules but sportsmanship is a biggest part of the game for me..

[jvincent]

Strictly from a Rules perspective, no, you can't get relief from the rock.

[Kilroy]

if my playing partner allows it,

It is not OK for your FC, opponent, or partner to waive a rule of golf.

Some courses may have a local rule that declare visible rocks in the fairway to be ground under repair.

Off of the fairway or in the absence of such a local rule it's up to you if you decide to hit it or not. If you decide not to it's an unplayable lie.

Rule 28
The player may deem his ball unplayable at any place on the course except when the ball is in a water hazard. The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable.

If the player deems his ball to be unplayable, he must, under penalty of one stroke:

a. Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or

b. Drop a ball behind the point where the ball lay, keeping that point directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind that point the ball may be dropped; or

c. Drop a ball within two club-lengths of the spot where the ball lay, but not nearer the hole.
If the unplayable ball is in a bunker, the player may proceed under Clause a, b or c. If he elects to proceed under Clause b or c, a ball must be dropped in the bunker.

The ball may be lifted and cleaned when proceeding under this Rule.

[BC MIST]

I don't know the official answer but for me its between they guys playing that match.. I wouldn't have a problem giving you relief. If you both agree its ok do it. I am a stickler for the rules but sportsmanship is a biggest part of the game for me..

Good sportsmanship IS playing by the The Rules.

By The Rules both players are disqualified from the competition because there was an agreement to waive a rule, 13-1 which states the the ball must be played as it lies. Rule 1-3 states that "Players must NOT agree to exclude the operation of any Rule or to waive any penalty occurred."

Contrary to the above players in a match cannot fudge the rules just because there are playing a match that has no affect on anyone else. "Giving your opponent a break," does not exist in golf and is NOT a sign of good sportsmanship. Rather, showing good etiquette, sympathizing with a bad shot, shaking hands at the end, buying him a beer, and so on, is.

Now, having said this, if your opponent moves the ball from the rock and drops close by, and you choose to ignore his breach of the rules, there is no penalty to either of you and the hole is played out as though the ball was not on the rock. Here, there is no agreement to waive a rule. If you object to his moving the ball, tell him so, and if he plays it anyway, then make a CLAIM, state the circumstances and say that you are going to get a ruling.

The players AND the Rules Committee have no right to waive a rule of golf.

[Kilroy]

I would not object to him moving his ball, as long as he followed rule 28, taking a one stroke penalty and dropping accordingly.

[mpare]

Your generosity knows no bounds!!!

I would not object to him moving his ball, as long as he followed rule 28, taking a one stroke penalty and dropping accordingly.

[MusicMan]

thanks boys. i just wasnt sure

[Hacker]

if your opponent moves the ball from the rock and drops close by, and you choose to ignore his breach of the rules, there is no penalty to either of you and the hole is played out as though the ball was not on the rock. Here, there is no agreement to waive a rule.

I've read the decision that states that choosing to ignore a breach of the rules is not the same as agreeing to waive a rule but for the life of me I can't see why it isn't.

If I choose to ignore the fact the my FC is not playing the ball where it lies how does this differ from me agreeing to let him do so???

[MusicMan]

alas... the mass confusion begins

[Hacker]

alas... the mass confusion begins

See what you have started??

[MusicMan]

Hey dont blame me the rules guys are giving weird answers

[jvincent]

I've read the decision that states that choosing to ignore a breach of the rules is not the same as agreeing to waive a rule but for the life of me I can't see why it isn't.

Just to save me the search time, which decision is this?

[Hacker]

Just to save me the search time, which decision is this?

2-5/1 Player’s Obligation Re: Lodging Claim


In match play, a player may disregard a breach of the Rules by his opponent, provided there is no agreement between the players. There is a difference between overlooking an opponent’s breach and agreement with the opponent to waive a penalty. Rule 1-3 prohibits the latter.

[jvincent]

Thanks.

The key here is that it is match play so you are only competing against one person so the decision does not impact the full field. It's also important that I am alone in making the decision.

Here's an example:

I see my FC ground his club in the bunker before his shot, which he then puts into the water on the other side of the green so he is now lying four after his drop. I know I can make my 6 inch birdie putt to win the hole (so this is clearly a made up situation) and as such I can choose to ignore the breach.

[Hacker]

Thanks.

The key here is that it is match play so you are only competing against one person so the decision does not impact the full field. It's also important that I am alone in making the decision.

Here's an example:

I see my FC ground his club in the bunker before his shot, which he then puts into the water on the other side of the green so he is now lying four after his drop. I know I can make my 6 inch birdie putt to win the hole (so this is clearly a made up situation) and as such I can choose to ignore the breach.

Fair enough, thanks for that clarification - Now, what happens if this was stroke play............

[jvincent]

In a stroke play competition if you see an infraction and don't report it you would be disqualified under 33-7 according to the decisions.

[Hacker]

Thanks jv for the clarification