Gopher holes and cracks in the earth...

[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...

[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..

[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?

[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.

[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).

[iacas]

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...

[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

[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.

[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.