Guide to relief situations commonly encountered on the McCracken Golf Course
This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of but simply a guide. Please read the relevant rule for full
explanation. At times there may be more complicated options available however, the options shown
here are the most common used by members (the ones that get it right sometimes!!!). All members
have an obligation to abide by the rules of golf when in competitions.
1/ Rules 26 & 20 apply
This is on the first hole where I have entered the lake on the left hand side, something we all have
done. This is a lateral water hazard (red stakes). The alignment stick is the point of entry, so I can
drop within 2 club lengths, no nearer the hole, I can drop within 1 club length behind the imaginary
line. The ball may roll up to 2 club lengths from where it first touched the ground so in effect you can
end up a fair distance from the point of entry. It is not a legal drop if, when the ball comes to rest,
your stance is now in the hazard, you must have full relief from the hazard.
In this instance, I could drop near the right hand side of the 2 club lengths, on the path. If I have
dropped the ball in the prescribed area and it does not roll more than 2 club lengths from where it
first hit the ground, it is a legal drop even though the ball is now on the path. As the path is an
immovable obstruction, I now need to solve this by finding the nearest point of relief which may be
either side of the path, depending where the ball finishes or play the ball as it lies.
Other options;
Return to the spot where I previously played.
2/ Rule 24
This is the path across the front of the second green. You can see the orange ball on path near the
green side. Nearest point of relief (and there is always only 1) is where the red ball is hence I must
drop the ball within 1 club length of this point. Nearest point of relief must include both ball and
stance. Once again the ball may roll up to 2 club lengths from where it first touched the ground.
3/Rule 24 and Local rule
The practice range fence which is an immovable obstruction. The ball was about a foot (25cm) from
the fence so I took swing relief with the club I would use if the fence was not there (a 6 iron). I then
dropped the ball within 1 club length (ok to use driver now) of this point. The ball may roll up to 2
club lengths from the point where it first touched the ground. While it would be great if it rolled to
the bottom of the slope, this is a lot further than the 2 club lengths allowed and hence must be redropped. NPOR cannot be over, under or through the fence and you certainly cannot try to lift the
wire.
5/ Rule 24
This is the path to the right of the 5th green. As mentioned previously, there is always only one
nearest point of relief and in this instance, it is going to be in the middle of the tree (hence
unplayable). I can take a penalty drop and go back as far as I like on a line from the pin and the red
ball which would actually put me on the ladies tee block for the 6th hole or within 2 club lengths
sideways no nearer the hole. My other options are to play the ball as it lies or return to where I
previously played from.
6/ Definition of an obstruction
This is the area between the 8th & 9th Fairways. There are often a couple of hoops there to divert the
traffic. This is not a path and no free relief is available. Even if there are tyre marks there, be it golf
cart or greenkeeper’s machinery, there is no free relief unless the Match committee post a local rule
(which we have not done). There are a number of bare patches in the rough around the course and
none of them are cart paths. Bare lies to the left and right of the 4th fairway are not paths, neither is
the bare area across the front of the water hazard to the right of the path on 11. Read the definition
of obstructions.
7/ Local Rule allowing a provisional ball to be played on the 11th
The infamous 11th hole. My tee shot slammed into the tree and as we were unsure where it went, I
played a provisional ball which went into the trees behind the bunkers on the right hand side. Having
a quick look for my ball, I was lucky enough to find it although it is virtually unplayable (both my feet
and ball are in water). I only have 2 choices, play the ball as it lies or play the provisional ball, I
cannot take a penalty drop from the lateral water hazard once I have played a provisional ball, we do
not know where the ball crossed the hazard line. Refer local rules.
8/ Rule 28
Still on the 11th, I hit my ball into the bushes. I was lucky enough to find it however with my 2 club
lengths under the unplayable ball rule, I was still in trouble. One of the other options is to go back as
far as you like from the flag through the point where the ball was located or return to where I
previously played from. I have seen some players taking a sideways drop far greater than the 2 club
lengths allowed to get a clear shot at the green, penalties apply.
9/ Rule 26
On the 13th, I hit a push slice (shank!!) into the hazard (yellow stakes). I have only 2 options, go back
on the line from the flag through the point where the ball last crossed the hazard as far as I like. I do
see a number of members choose to drop a ball on the ladies tee as this has the best lie, Please pay
attention to the line from the flag as just mentioned. The other option is to play from where I last
played (hopefully it was the tee shot). If playing from the tee, you may tee up your ball.
10/ Rule 25
With GUR marked by the white line, I need to locate the nearest point of relief. Once again, there is
only one NPOR, not nearer the hole. I have established my NPOR and must drop within 1 club length.
Once dropped, I do not get relief from the GUR if it is on my line. The same as if the ball finished
outside GUR originally. The Decisions book simply states, learn to chip.
12/ Local rule – Hazard stakes are immovable obstructions
The stake interferes with my stance. As my ball is in the hazard, no free relief
My ball is outside the hazard and as the stake interferes with my swing (or stance), the Match
committee has deemed the stakes to be immovable obstructions, you get free. Establish nearest
point of relief and drop within 1 club length, not nearer the hole.
13/ Rule 26
On the 14th, a number of players hook the ball left and quite often drop a second ball on the ladies
tee (nice grass). This hazard has yellow stakes hence once again you must drop on the line from the
flag through the point of entry or return to the tee. Rarely does this line take you onto the nice tee
blocks.
14/ Rule 26
If you happen to slice one into the lake heading up to 14th fairway, you can drop within 2 club
lengths of point of entry (not where you may happen to find your ball) or back as far as you like on
the line from the flag through point of entry. In this instance, the flag is on the right side of the
green. If the flag was on the left side of the green, I would need to be standing a lot closer to the
lake, possibly in it!!
15/ Rule 25
This is the GUR on the left side of the 17th green. The GUR covers some green and some fringe. In
this instance, the pink ball is on the green hence nearest point of relief is to the side as the player is
entitled to have a clear line to pin. This NPOR may be off the green but still with a clear line to the
pin.
This is the same patch of GUR and in this instance while the ball is inside the GUR, the ball is not on
the green so the NPOR is straight back, hence the player will still need to play over the GUR.
There are a number of instances where the green staff has taken holes from the side of the greens to
repair bird damage. Please note, these holes on the edges of the green are not on the green. The
green staff mow inside them all. While you can take relief if your ball is in one of these, you do not
get line of play relief hence the NPOR is directly away from the pin, as shown above.
As per above, no relief in this situation. Learn to chip.
If you think some of these relief situations are a bit tough, just be aware that if you land on the
railway track running through the middle of Royal Adelaide, you must play the ball as it lies or take a
penalty drop.
16/ Rule 24
One last straight forward situation. If your ball is in the middle of a path and in this instance playing
straight ahead to the green, if you are a right hander, your nearest point of relief is on the left side of
the path, if you are a lefty, your nearest point of relief is on the right hand side. This is simply
because the NPOR includes your stance. Now you can drop the ball within 1 club length of this point.