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Gopher holes and cracks in the earth...

immts007

By immts007,
in Golf Talk

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immts007 Great Member

immts007

On a par three this am, my tee shot came to rest in a gopher hole on an upslope just in front of the green. There was absolutely no way to get a club on the ball. Standard unplayable lie rule with penalty stroke? Or free relief? All three of the guys I was with said free relief.

I'm guessing they were wrong...

What's in my bag:
Cleveland Hibore XLS Monster Driver
TourEdge Exotics 2,3,4 hybrid irons
Tommy Armour 845cs Silverbacks 5-PW
Assorted wedges, Ping Scottsdale Anser

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RemyM Dedicated Member

RemyM

Free relief, rule 25-1
Abnormal Ground Conditions
An “abnormal ground condition” is any casual water, ground under
repair or hole, cast or runway on the course made by a burrowing
animal, a reptile or a bird.
Burrowing Animal
A “burrowing animal” is an animal (other than a worm, insect or
the like) that makes a hole for habitation or shelter, such as a
rabbit, mole, groundhog, gopher or salamander..

Rob Tyska

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Dent Great Member

Dent

To further add to this question, what if your approach shot lands on the green.. but in a divot making it impossible to putt to the hole?
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5 Wood: r7 19° (Stiff)Irons: S58 Irons 4-PW Orange DotWedge: Harmonized 60°Wedge: Z TP 54°Putter: Tiffany 34"Balls: Pro V1 Shoes: Adidas Tour 360 IIThe Meadows Golf Coursewww.themeadowsgc.comAge: 16
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goblue107501 Great Member

goblue107501

I know if it is the divot your ball made, you mark the ball and fix the divot. I would assume the same holds true if it lands in someone else's divot that was already there. Rule 16 states that you are allowed to fix any ball marks on the green. So if you land in a divot on the green, mark the ball and fix the damaged area. If your mark moves then you can replace it.

I will judge my rounds much more by the quality of my best shots than the acceptability of my worse ones.

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tjy355 Dedicated Member

tjy355

Gopher holes have been covered.

Cracks in the earth are a different story. I'm pretty sure you would have to play it as it lies (or take an unplayable).
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iacas Hall of Fame Member

iacas

  • Administrator
but in a divot making it impossible to putt to the hole?

Define "divot" in this case. Or just look up the rule. "The Putting Green" is rule 16.

Source: Rule 16-1 c. Repair of Hole Plugs, Ball Marks and Other Damage The player may repair an old hole plug or damage to the putting green caused by the impact of a ball, whether or not the player's ball lies on the putting green. If a ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved in the process of the repair, the ball or ball-marker must be replaced. There is no penalty, provided the movement of the ball or ball-marker is directly attributable to the specific act of repairing an old hole plug or damage to the putting green caused by the impact of a ball. Otherwise, Rule 18 applies. Any other damage to the putting green must not be repaired if it might assist the player in his subsequent play of the hole.

So unless you can find a guy to deem your section of the putting green as ground under repair...

Erik J. Barzeski — ⛳ I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • Author, Lowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

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RemyM Dedicated Member

RemyM

Cracks in the earth are a different story. I'm pretty sure you would have to play it as it lies (or take an unplayable).

Decision 25/12 Cracks in Earth

Q. Are cracks in the earth which occur in hot and dry conditions ground under repair? Do the Rules of Golf provide relief? A. No. However, a player whose ball is in a large crack would be justified in requesting the Committee to declare the crack to be ground under repair, and the Committee would be justified in doing so. You can look things up yourself online http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/rules.html

Rob Tyska

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Fourputt Incredible Member

Fourputt

On a par three this am, my tee shot came to rest in a gopher hole on an upslope just in front of the green. There was absolutely no way to get a club on the ball. Standard unplayable lie rule with penalty stroke? Or free relief? All three of the guys I was with said free relief.

They were right.

Rick

"He who has the fastest cart will never have a bad lie."

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plainsman Member

plainsman

Wouldn't that be considered a hole in one?
(Thnk of Robin Williams comedy description about the origins of golf....)
I'll be more serious in future posts, but this one just fit too well to pass on.

C-S3 driver 12*
RPM LP 5 wood
IDEA A2 3H, 4H, 5-PW, GW, SW, LW
blade putter

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