Drop area on cart path

[jeff]

As described in the picture below (taking an example from Hole 12, Stonebridge), a player hits his ball into a lateral water hazard. Suppose it is impracticable to drop his ball behind the water hazard on the extended line between the entry point and flagstick due to wild fescue.

With one stroke penalty, he tries to drop the ball outside the water hazard within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard. If he drops the ball on the grass between the red stakes and the cart path, he will have to stand on the cart path to hold his stance. If he drops the ball directly on the surface of the cart path, he will have to hit the ball on the immovable obstruction. Is he entitled to have a relief from the cart path without further penalty under this circumstance? Thanks!
case21.png

[AAA]

Yes. Once he has taken legitimate relief from the water hazard, which does not preclude dropping on an immovable obstruction, the path is a new situation and he may take relief from that.
He would also be entitled to relief if he drops in the grass and his stance is on the path.

He should consider the spot he drops on because any roll may make his nearest point of relief from the path on the side of the LWH. But it may not be an issue if there is no room to drop a ball and stand between the path and the LWH.

[JGT4]

He should consider the spot he drops on because any roll may make his nearest point of relief from the path on the side of the LWH. But it may not be an issue if there is no room to drop a ball and stand between the path and the LWH.

Just to add to what AAA has said here. Although there may not be room to drop a ball and stand between the path and the LWH, there is nothing that says that he must be able to stand where his stance is clear of both. If the ball comes to rest on the grass and his stance to play from that position means that he is standing wholly or partially in the LWH, then that ball is in play and may not be re-dropped.

[AAA]

Thanks JGT4
I was stupidly assuming the player was right handed.
First rule of refereeing - get all the facts

[jeff]

Just to add to what AAA has said here. Although there may not be room to drop a ball and stand between the path and the LWH, there is nothing that says that he must be able to stand where his stance is clear of both. If the ball comes to rest on the grass and his stance to play from that position means that he is standing wholly or partially in the LWH, then that ball is in play and may not be re-dropped.

First of all, Many thanks to AAA and JGT4.

For JGT4's comments, what I can imagine is that the player is a lefty, so he has the chance to stand inside the red stake or red line which defines the margin of the LWH. In reality, the player (right handed) dropped his ball right on the cart path and the ball did rest on the path so he got a relief from there.

[gbower]

It's always good to look at all your options as sometimes hitting from the cart path may be your best option. In your situation if you were left handed and the drop rolled very close, but not in, the hazard you may not have a stance or the ball could be buried in the rough. I often see people mark and want to lift their ball before figuring out what the result may be.