Hazard Question

[runyans]

I've been lurking this great forum for awhile. For my first post, I had to ask this question.

I was lucky enough to get away from this horrible Atlanta winter, and get down to Florida for a couple of rounds. On the 7th hole, I hit my drive right into a lateral hazard. Our forecaddy saw exactly where the ball went in. When we got up to the hazard where my ball entered, there was about a 6 foot gator sitting on the bank taking a mid day sun bath. Generally, I play by the rules. However, this being just a friendly game, and me not wanting to loose a limb, I went back and away from the hazard about 50 ft.

Had this been a tournament or a more serious game, what do you do in the situation? This is something we do not have to deal with in metro Atlanta.

Also, this is a great forum. Very interesting and informative reading.

[BrushCaddy]

Welcome runyans, i'm fairly new here too and enjoy the site very much.

I think you made a fair drop considering the circumstances.  We don't have this problem here on the West Coast either but I would guess in those areas they would have staff that would come around and shoo off any gators that might be a threat.

I'm curious if this has even happened in a high profile tournament.  Can anyone chime in if a pro has ever encountered this?

[1par2win]

First of all, welcome to the site. It's one of the few that I frequent. Second, your description of a horrible winter is relative. I'll take your "horrible" ATL winter over the -20 (literaly, -20 degrees) and 4 feet of snow we have in MN. So yea....

But to your point there is a "dangerous animal" provision within the rules. I would have to look it up but I believe it originates from a change by the R&A; (and later adopted by the USGA) concerning South Africa where there have been multiple issues with snakes, fire ant hills, and other critters. Anyway, I did a quick search and this was the decision I found that covers your issue.

From the USGA:

1-4/10 Dangerous Situation; Rattlesnake or Bees Interfere with Play


Q. A player’s ball comes to rest in a situation dangerous to the player, e.g., near a live rattlesnake or a bees’ nest. Does the player have any options in addition to playing the ball as it lies or, if applicable, proceeding under Rule 26 or 28?

A. Yes. It is unreasonable to expect the player to play from such a dangerous situation and unfair to require the player to incur a penalty under Rule 26 (Water Hazards) or Rule 28 (Ball Unplayable).
In equity (Rule 1-4), as an additional option the player should be permitted, without penalty, to drop a ball on the nearest spot not nearer the hole which is not dangerous.
If the ball lay in a hazard, it should be dropped, if possible, in the same hazard and, if not, in a similar nearby hazard, but in either case not nearer the hole. If it is not possible for the player to drop the ball in a hazard, he may drop it, under penalty of one stroke, outside the hazard, keeping the point where the original ball lay between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped.
If it is clearly unreasonable for the player to play a stroke because of interference by anything other than the dangerous situation he may not take relief as prescribed above, but he is not precluded from proceeding under Rule 26 or 28.

[runyans]

Thanks for that answer. That is exactly what I was looking for. I guess I don't have too much room to complain about the weather, but for a southerner, it has been cold.

[596]

In the PGA tourney last weekend, someone hit their ball directly behind a tree.  His only play would have been a 90 degree chip out into the fairway.....however!!......he found a fire ant nest in his stance.  He made the comment that he was "in fear" when the PGA offical was called over.  He was allowed a drop for a stance outside the fire ant area, which just happened to give him a clear shot at the green.

[Radford Wooly]

  596 said:

Originally Posted by 596

In the PGA tourney last weekend, someone hit their ball directly behind a tree.  His only play would have been a 90 degree chip out into the fairway.....however!!......he found a fire ant nest in his stance.  He made the comment that he was "in fear" when the PGA offical was called over.  He was allowed a drop for a stance outside the fire ant area, which just happened to give him a clear shot at the green.

Very smart indeed!!!!

[Ignorant]

  Radford Wooly said:

Originally Posted by Radford Wooly

Quote:

Originally Posted by 596

In the PGA tourney last weekend, someone hit their ball directly behind a tree.  His only play would have been a 90 degree chip out into the fairway.....however!!......he found a fire ant nest in his stance.  He made the comment that he was "in fear" when the PGA offical was called over.  He was allowed a drop for a stance outside the fire ant area, which just happened to give him a clear shot at the green.

Very smart indeed!!!!

It pays off to know the Rules