Kevin Na on 18 - 2 stroke penalty?

[chriskzoo]

What did Na take relief from on 18?  If it was the cart path, doesn't he get assessed a 2 stroke penalty under rule 20-2c?  If you take relief, you must take FULL relief from the condition from which you sought relief.

[Thunderbutt]

This is my question precisely.  If you decide to take relief, you must take full relief.  So, was Na taking relief from the cart path curb, but not the cart path?  And as such, he could drop the ball on the cart path and choose not to take relief from the cart path?

[GJBenn85]

Why did he take relief in the first place? His ball landed in the grass next to the cart path.

[zombywoof]

Relief from GUR?

[Thunderbutt]

Well, you can take relief if you're standing on a cart path.  But again, shouldn't he have to take full relief from the cart path?

[Thunderbutt]

I didn't see any GUR, but amybe I missed that.  I assume he was taking relief from the cart path curb.

[Motley01]

Interesting, I didn't even notice that. But there was a rules official right there when he dropped his ball on the cart path and played from there. So apparently it was within the rules.

And the tournament wasn't decided by this anyways, he had no chance to win, so who cares really. Give the kid a break already.

[saevel25]

Well the ground was tore up by the bystanders, which i believe he can get free relief from because the PGA allows it because its not the original condition of the course or caused by other players (divots), it was damaged by outside forces.

[Thunderbutt]

Sorry - I don't buy "And the tournament wasn't decided by this anyways, he had no chance to win, so who cares really. Give the kid a break already."  There were several players at -7 and -6 that were effected.  Also, the next time I don't like the area next to a cart path, can I use this to drop the ball on the cart path and get a better lie?

[Motley01]

Originally Posted by saevel25

Well the ground was tore up by the bystanders, which i believe he can get free relief from because the PGA allows it because its not the original condition of the course or caused by other players (divots), it was damaged by outside forces.

Yep this is the correct ruling, because the grass was damaged, or deemed ground under repair. Just saw it on the Golf Channel.

[Beachcomber]

The announcers stated that he took relief as his stance was impeded by the curb.  My impression was that he took relief from the curb - not the cart path.  Also GUR needs to be clearly marked, and I didn't see or hear anyone state that where his ball came to rest was GUR.

[Beachcomber]

Originally Posted by Thunderbutt

Sorry - I don't buy "And the tournament wasn't decided by this anyways, he had no chance to win, so who cares really. Give the kid a break already."  There were several players at -7 and -6 that were effected.  Also, the next time I don't like the area next to a cart path, can I use this to drop the ball on the cart path and get a better lie?

Sure.  And you will have a nice roughed up sole on the club when you're finished to show off to all of your friends.

[Rulesman]

In case there is any confusion, he took relief from GUR and dropped on the path.

[carpediem4300]

because that was his nearest point of relief? (within two clubs?)

and if he so wished he could of then taken another drop to his nearest point of non-path relief?

i ehard the commentators say something close tot he above

[Dormie1360]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

The announcers stated that he took relief as his stance was impeded by the curb.  My impression was that he took relief from the curb - not the cart path.  Also GUR needs to be clearly marked, and I didn't see or hear anyone state that where his ball came to rest was GUR.

First, never believe anything a golf announcer says about the rules of golf. Second, GUR does not need to be clearly marked to be GUR.  GUR can happen during a round, (I.E. caused by spectators).  An official can define something during the round that was not marked as GUR at the beginning of the round.

Others are correct in that if he were taking relief from the cart path, he must take full relief.  If however, he had two conditions, the cart path (which is an obstruction) and GUR, which is an Abnormal Ground Condition, he is not required to take relief from both.  He may take relief from one and not the other.

I do not know what actually was talked about with the rules official, but taking relief from an Abnormal Ground Condition (GUR)  does allow your Nearest Point of Relief to be on an Obstruction (Cart Path).  It's up to the player whether or not he wants to take relief from the Cart Path after taking relief from the GUR.  The reverse would also be true allowing a player to take relief from a cart path and drop in an Abnormal Ground Condition.

[wolfsburg2]

Originally Posted by Thunderbutt

Sorry - I don't buy "And the tournament wasn't decided by this anyways, he had no chance to win, so who cares really. Give the kid a break already."  There were several players at -7 and -6 that were effected.  Also, the next time I don't like the area next to a cart path, can I use this to drop the ball on the cart path and get a better lie?

Come on dude, you are a 16 handicap comparing what you should do at your local muni course to what Na did at the Players with a rules official standing next to him? I defer to the rules official and the pro.

Seriously big guy, take it down a notch. Golf is a game.

[te3point5]

Originally Posted by Thunderbutt

Sorry - I don't buy "And the tournament wasn't decided by this anyways, he had no chance to win, so who cares really. Give the kid a break already."  There were several players at -7 and -6 that were effected.  Also, the next time I don't like the area next to a cart path, can I use this to drop the ball on the cart path and get a better lie?

I'd like to be there to watch you hit a wood or hybrid off a concrete path and find the green from 200 yards out.

[saevel25]

I have no issue, he has to make a living, means he has to play with the problems he has. He was a very good sportsman in staying ahead of Kutcher to not slow him down. But, he's workign on it, he's honest about it... What i can't stand are the *******s in the crowd who are bothering him, you know what, then don't go to a golf tournament, its not a place to vent.