INFO FOR TOMORROW + WILL YOU NEED THIS RULE? BALL LOST but is it in temporary water?
Hi again,
Fingers crossed that the weather will be okay tomorrow. If it's iffy in the morning, look for a message on the blog/FB.
Also, don't forget that we are taking names and money for pairs to play in the Debbie Gaunt qualifying day on 7th April. Please make sure you and your partner see Gill Wilson to enter for this, if you haven't already done so.
Given the condition of the course in recent times, I have been asked about, and observed for myself, what happens if you lose a ball in the general area, which might be just long grass, a bit muddy or temporary water.
It is tricky because the rule about a ball lost in temporary water is different to that if it is lost but not in temporary water.
As an example, if you hit your ball left off the third tee and it goes into the area not far from the fence on the second tee, it is often difficult to find.
If there is no water there, then you need to use the stroke and distance rule for a lost ball, meaning you have to hit another ball off the tee, which would be your third shot. Or, as happened in Par last week,you might decide to just pick up and wipe the hole.
If you get down to where you think the ball went and there is a bit of water around, you can't just assume your ball is lost in the water. It might be in the grass or a muddy area that isn't temporary water. However, if you all saw it go into the water but you still can't find it then rule 16.1e applies.
The rule reads as follows...
RELIEF FOR BALL NOT FOUND BUT IN OR ON ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITION
If a player's ball has not been found and it is known or virtually certain that the ball came to rest in or on an abnormal course condition (such as temporary water or GUR), the player may use this relief option instead of taking stroke-and-distance relief:
The player may take free relief under Rule 16.1b.c or d, using the estimated point where the ball last crossed the edge of the abnormal course condition, as the spot of the ball for purposes of finding the nearest point of complete relief.
Once the player puts another ball in play, by dropping another ball, to take relief in this way, the original ball is no longer in play and must not be played, even if it is then found before the 3 minute search time is up.
BUT, if it is not known or virtually certain that the ball came to rest in temporary water and the ball is lost, then the player must take stroke and distance relief by going back to replay their last shot for a penalty of one.
Good luck with all that!
Hope to see you tomorrow, rain or shine.
Jenny
