Question:
The actual rule for this is under "Obstructions" and hazard stakes are classified as obstructions. Whether movable or not may be determined locally. The following is copied directly from the USGA site. FAQ’s Q. May stakes defining a water hazard or lateral water hazard be moved if they interfere physically with the player’s play or if they interfere with his line of play? A. The stake(s) in question are obstructions, and provided they are readily movable, they may be removed. Marko says… Thank you for your interpretation of Rules 13 and 24 I cannot find a statement within rules 13 or 24 in the USGA / R&A Rules of Golf specifying that a hazard stake is an obstruction However, the Rule Book does clearly state that stakes and lines defining the margins of water hazards ARE IN the hazards. If the stake is in the hazard, it can’t be regarded as an obstruction, and relief under rule 24.1 could not be applied. Therefore in equity, the ball should be played as it lies. This only applies if the ball is in the hazard. If the ball lies outside the hazard, they are obstructions and free relief is available. SteveR
Response:
says… Thank you for your interpretation of Rules 13 and 24 I cannot find a statement within rules 13 or 24 in the USGA / R&A Rules of Golf specifying that a hazard stake is an obstruction However, the Rule Book does clearly state that stakes and lines defining the margins of water hazards ARE IN the hazards. If the stake is in the hazard, it can’t be regarded as an obstruction, and relief under rule 24.1 could not be applied. Therefore in equity, the ball should be played as it lies.
This only applies if the ball is in the hazard. If the ball lies outside the hazard, they are obstructions and free relief is available. SteveR
Response:
Under the Rules, Rule 24 in particular, obstructions are defined as anything artificial with three exceptions – (a) objects defining out of bounds; an part of an immovable obstruction which is out of bounds and (c) any construction declared by the committee to be an integral part of the course. A hazard stake is an obstruction. Whether it is an "immovable" or "movable" depends on the Committee. This is because, under Rule 33-8 (Local Rules), Committee can define these are "immovable" obstructions. Otherwise, in the absence of any local rule, to determine whether they are "movable" or "immovable", Decision 24-1/1 explains this as follows: "An obstruction is movable if it may be moved without unreasonable effort, without unduly delaying play in contravention of Rule 6-7 and without damaging the course property, unless it has been declared to be immovable by the Committee". Thus, one must be clear on what is the status of a hazard stake. Is it a movable or an immovable obstruction? Be aware that Committees can declare such stakes as "immovable" obstructions. See Decision 33-8/16. The reason for this caution is that the relief procedures for a movable and an immovable obstruction are not quite the same. In the case of a movable obstruction, it can be removed even when your ball lies in a hazard. Whereas, in the case of an immovable obstruction, a player is not allowed relief when the ball lies in a water hazard. (See Note 1 of Rule 24-2b). So do be extremely careful when dealing with hazard stakes. This is because if you remove an immovable obstruction which interferes with your stance, lie or area of intended swing, instead of proceeding under Rule 24-2 even though your ball is not in a hazard, you will be subject to penalty under Rule 13-2. See Decision 13-2/15. My personal opinion is that hazard stakes should not be defined by Committees as immovable obstructions. However, the counter argument has been that golfers tend to remove them and displace them. This cause a problem in that a misplaced hazard stake would then make it difficult for others to determine the margins of the water hazard. Stakes, supplemented with lines are the best option but they can be be costly for a golf course to maintain. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If the stake is in the hazard, it can’t be regarded as an obstruction, and relief under rule 24.1 could not be applied. Therefore in equity, the ball should be played as it lies.
Response:
<iI cannot find a statement within rules 13 or 24 in the USGA / R&A Rules of Golf specifying that a hazard stake is an obstruction </i Read rule 24 again, more carefully. Included in the definition of obstruction: ‘…anything artificial’. Your earlier stament that stakes are regarded as integral parts of the course is not correct. The only distinction Committees make is whether to declare the stakes immovable or not. <iHowever, the Rule Book does clearly state that stakes and lines defining the margins of water hazards ARE IN the hazards. If the stake is in the hazard, it can’t be regarded as an obstruction, and relief under rule 24.1 could not be applied. </i Where have you got this from? If it’s from your ‘pocket referee’, I suggest you throw it in the bin. Read rule 24-1b again, it includes a procedure for being in a hazard! Perhaps you’re thinking of the note to 24-2b: if the stakes have been declared immovable by the committee AND a player’s ball is in the hazard, there is no relief under rule 24. **** Posted from RemarQ – http://www.remarq.com – Discussions Start Here ™ ****
Response:
If you check the USGA Rules Book, Rule 13 states that a hazard stake is an obstruction. This allows you under Rule 24-1 to take relief from that obstruction. If the stake is unmovable then a free drop is allowed. If the stake is moveable it can be removed to allow the shot.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Your query re lateral hazard stake. This is not usually regarded as an obstruction, but as an integral part of the golf course. Therefore, the stake should not be removed to give relief. Your partner did right to play the ball as it lay. May I suggest you check out Golfers Pocket Referee on www.golfreferee.com which gives an instant on-course answer to such problems. It’s worth keeping in your golf bag.
Response:
Thank you for your interpretation of Rules 13 and 24 I cannot find a statement within rules 13 or 24 in the USGA / R&A Rules of Golf specifying that a hazard stake is an obstruction However, the Rule Book does clearly state that stakes and lines defining the margins of water hazards ARE IN the hazards. If the stake is in the hazard, it can’t be regarded as an obstruction, and relief under rule 24.1 could not be applied. Therefore in equity, the ball should be played as it lies. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you check the USGA Rules Book, Rule 13 states that a hazard stake is an obstruction. This allows you under Rule 24-1 to take relief from that obstruction. If the stake is unmovable then a free drop is allowed. If the stake is moveable it can be removed to allow the shot.
Response:
Your query re lateral hazard stake. This is not usually regarded as an obstruction, but as an integral part of the golf course. Therefore, the stake should not be removed to give relief. Your partner did right to play the ball as it lay. May I suggest you check out Golfers Pocket Referee on www.golfreferee.com which gives an instant on-course answer to such problems. It’s worth keeping in your golf bag.