Ruling for free relief for Garcia @ Barclays in playoff

[blue3715]

I was there... it's an established ruling that a burrowing animal entitles one to relief if their ball, stance, or swing would be affected by it. As it was determined, Sergio's left food was on a soft area of the rough, above one of the moles tunnels.

Plus the mole was actually right there, in the process of burrowing. That also prompted the official to allow his wildlife relief.. as the animal was in the path of the shot.

[mjtoal]

If Slugger White says it is a free drop, I think we can safely say it was a good ruling.

[traviswise]

I was there... it's an established ruling that a burrowing animal entitles one to relief if their ball, stance, or swing would be affected by it. As it was determined, Sergio's left food was on a soft area of the rough, above one of the moles tunnels.

Yeah the mole actually was shown on TV.

[kafka01]

I just saw the scene again on TV - and Sergio was digging like 2m away in front left of the ball (where he was looking for the animal) not directly affecting his stance or swing.

So i assume whenever i see wildlife burrowing in the "close area" (not directly affecting my stance/swing) to my ball i can get relief since the animal might move his burrowing process closer to my ball during my setup/swing and thus affecting it in the future process?

If thats the thought process behind that ruling - wouldnt it be logical to extend the area where you drop your ball just to make sure you are way away from the burrowing animal (more than one club length?) since imo it doesnt make a big difference, if your ball lies 2 or 3 meters away from the cause of relief.

[alf174]

I just saw the scene again on TV - and Sergio was digging like 2m away in front left of the ball (where he was looking for the animal) not directly affecting his stance or swing.

Moles a plenty around my locale and I have experienced the same conditions as what Sergio got into; they like to borrow a maze in a area when they find a spot rich in grubs. Its not a case of how the ball lies, more of a safety issue for the golfer. The weaken ground would be a less than ideal spot to stand and take a swing on; it could easily result in injury from an unbalanced condition. Its not unlike the relief we get from a cart path.

[iacas]

I just saw the scene again on TV - and Sergio was digging like 2m away in front left of the ball (where he was looking for the animal) not directly affecting his stance or swing.

He was pointing out that they were actually the burrows or tunnels. If he dug up the area directly under his stance or swing and he was WRONG, then he could be

penalized for improving the area of his stance or swing. So, by showing the rules official that what he would be standing on was a burrow because it looked exactly like this thing a few feet away, he both avoided possible penalty and made his case for relief. So no, it's not like what you've suggested.

[shredfit]

What? Since when is it a stroke penalty to drop from a cart path?

Exactly! My point is/was, that I've actually played with people that gave themselves a stroke for dropping away from a cart path... They are the same types that think the "rules" are ONLY in place to make the game more difficult, or to penalize the player.

[Harold]

Yeah the mole actually was shown on TV.

Where's Carl Spackler when you need him ?

[Archie]

I watched this live, you could see the ground moving up and down about 2-4 ft in front of his ball.

[CG031]

Exactly! My point is/was, that I've actually played with people that gave themselves a stroke for dropping away from a cart path... They are the same types that think the "rules" are ONLY in place to make the game more difficult, or to penalize the player.

LOL. Wow, but they are basically cheating because that's not even a rule!

[Smallville]

LOL. Wow, but they are basically cheating because that's not even a rule!

Actually, if this was in a tournament or something, wouldn't they be disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard ? ? ? ? ? ? (We need a smiley that has little arms coming out of it like it's saying, "WHAT?")

[iacas]

Actually, if this was in a tournament or something, wouldn't they be disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard ? ? ? ? ? ?

No. They took a higher score, not a lower score.

We do have more smileys, too. Click the "More" link. These seem appropriate.

[Jay-Bird]

Knowing the rules can only help you. It cannot ever hurt you. The rules are in place to keep the game fair for everyone. Remember when Tiger had the gallery move a boulder that took ten guys to move it five feet? He asked the rules official if it was a "loose impediment", got the ruling, and got the boulder moved.

go here: it's the fourth from the bottom of the page...
http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/video_archive.html

[Smallville]

No. They took a higher score, not a lower score.

There I go, typing before thinking again . . . thanks, and I knew that, I just messed up.