Help With Two Rulings

[nevets88]

I played these both as it lies. The first one I used a hybrid and caught it fat and skipped off the sprinkler head. The second one I putted it out and the ball went over the hole cover and was slowed down a bit. It was 2 fingers left to right, Aimpoint Express, my ball was around where the red dot is.

Did I have relief options in any of these situations?

[StuM]

I believe Rule 16.1 provides free relief as long as you are not in a penalty area.  The sprinkler head is an "Immovable obstruction" and is classified as an Abnormal Course Condition.  For your putt it was in your line thus you could take relief.  In the fairway if you could not take a stance without standing on it or swing without hitting the sprinkler head you get relief.

EDIT: For relief on the line of the putt I believe you need to be on the putting surface to begin with.

 

Edited March 23, 2021 by StuM

[Pretzel]

The sprinkler head is an immovable obstruction, if it's in the path of your swing where you could hit it or it could otherwise cause problems with your stance or swing you get free relief. Most common case is when the ball is resting directly on the sprinkler, but if you are in very close proximity to the sprinkler (like you are there) it also applies because the club could still hit it (as you found out).

When putting you are granted relief based on the intended line of your putt for immovable obstructions, such as hole plugs, but ONLY if you are on the putting surface. If you are on the putting surface you would follow the same rule for immovable obstructions as with the sprinkler head, except taking relief based on the intended line of your putt rather than your stance or swing.

[David in FL]

What @Pretzel said...

 

What the heck is a “hole cover”?  Is that on the green?!  
 

Gotta say, I’ve never seen that before. Ever.

Edited March 23, 2021 by David in FL

[billchao]

In addition to the above posts, you’re not in season, @nevets88.

[DaveP043]

36 minutes ago, David in FL said:

What @Pretzel said...

 

What the heck is a “hole cover”?  Is that on the green?!  
 

Gotta say, I’ve never seen that before. Ever.

In the north, when play is really light through the winter, its not uncommon to cut 2 or 3 cups in a green, and move the flag from one to the other, rather than cut new cups.  The "not in play" cups are usually covered with "hole covers".  

[nevets88]

Thanks for the answers everyone. I had a feeling I could move the first one, immovable obstruction. Oh well.

I see that NYC is in season April 1.

[DaveP043]

15 minutes ago, nevets88 said:

Thanks for the answers everyone. I had a feeling I could move the first one, immovable obstruction. Oh well.

I see that NYC is in season April 1.

The first one is close enough that I'd have no problem with accepting that:

"An abnormal course condition physically interferes with the player’s area of intended stance or area of intended swing,"

Which is the wording from Rule 16.1a(1).  So you get relief.

On the second, as @Pretzel and @StuM say, if your ball is on the green, and there's an abnormal course condition on your intended line of play, you may take line of play relief by following16.1d.  

[David in FL]

43 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

In the north, when play is really light through the winter, its not uncommon to cut 2 or 3 cups in a green, and move the flag from one to the other, rather than cut new cups.  The "not in play" cups are usually covered with "hole covers".  

Thanks.