Dangerous or Not? Your Opinion Please

[RussUK]

Id agree with all of them.

on another (less serious) point, if said goose had been fatally hit by a stray ball, can you take it home for your dinner? 

[9wood]

In my experience bees collecting pollen are not a threat. The threat comes when you bother a bees nest

[bkuehn1952]

I wonder how the USGA would look at the situation with the large black snake near the ball? Not all black snakes are poisonous.  The USGA stated relief from rattlesnakes is allowed. Presumably that means poisonous snakes and not all snakes as the USGA could have just stated "snakes".

Most of us are not herpetologists and would not know a poisonous snake from a non-venomous species.  Maybe this is a case where ignorance is an advantage.  A person who knows nothing about snakes gets to drop away from the long grass while someone who knows the black snake is harmless has to play it where it lies.

[newtogolf]

My responses assume we are playing in a tournament or for big money.  In a casual round I don't care what the other players do.

I'd allow relief for 3&4.  The others are normal course hazards and need to be handled in accordance to the ROG.  I don't believe there are many black snakes that are poisonous, if the course was in an area where there were large black poisonous snakes I'd allow relief then too.

 

[DaveP043]

  On 2/12/2016 at 1:59 PM, RussUK said:

on another (less serious) point, if said goose had been fatally hit by a stray ball, can you take it home for your dinner? 

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My wife once hit a Canada goose squarely in the side with a 3-wood shot.  The goose sank to his knees for maybe 10 seconds, then got up and waddled back to the water.  I think it would take scary-good accuracy to hit one in the head, and I don't think anything but a head shot would kill it.

[David in FL]

  On 2/12/2016 at 2:58 PM, bkuehn1952 said:

I wonder how the USGA would look at the situation with the large black snake near the ball? Not all black snakes are poisonous.  The USGA stated relief from rattlesnakes is allowed. Presumably that means poisonous snakes and not all snakes as the USGA could have just stated "snakes".

Most of us are not herpetologists and would not know a poisonous snake from a non-venomous species.  Maybe this is a case where ignorance is an advantage.  A person who knows nothing about snakes gets to drop away from the long grass while someone who knows the black snake is harmless has to play it where it lies.

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Note, regardless, the relief is only one club length from the nearest point from the nearest spot that is not dangerous.  Like many types of relief, there is no guarantee that you'll end up in a better position....and you could end up worse!

[bkuehn1952]

  On 2/12/2016 at 3:24 PM, David in FL said:

Note, regardless, the relief is only one club length from the nearest point from the nearest spot that is not dangerous.  Like many types of relief, there is no guarantee that you'll end up in a better position....and you could end up worse!

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Good point.  Still, with snakes my guess is more often than not you will be moving away from crappy terrain toward better since one can't drop OB or in a hazard (unless you are in the hazard).

[David in FL]

  On 2/12/2016 at 3:30 PM, bkuehn1952 said:

Good point.  Still, with snakes my guess is more often than not you will be moving away from crappy terrain toward better since one can't drop OB or in a hazard (unless you are in the hazard).

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The "danger" is the snake, not the habitat.  You would identify the nearest spot where that particular snake is no longer dangerous, and drop within one club length no nearer the hole.  Just like taking relief from a cart path, you may very well find that the only option results in a worse, or even unplayable lie, from which free relief is not available, and may be even deeper into the "crappy terrain".

That's also why the grassy area with honey bees going about their business, should not qualify for relief IMO.  At the right time of year, nearly any area of the course with dandelions, clover, or another weed in bloom could be considered "dangerous" under that definition.  

[9wood]

  On 2/12/2016 at 3:01 PM, DaveP043 said:

My wife once hit a Canada goose squarely in the side with a 3-wood shot.  The goose sank to his knees for maybe 10 seconds, then got up and waddled back to the water.  I think it would take scary-good accuracy to hit one in the head, and I don't think anything but a head shot would kill it.

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I hit a goose in the side on a hole last year when my tee shot became a worm burner. The goose waddled a few steps and then acted as though nothing happened. I told my golfing partner to mark me down for a birdie 

[DrvFrShow]

Last summer I hit a shot that landed in the fairway near a pine tree (also in the fairway). For some reason there was about a half dozen yellow jackets in the area buzzing me. It would have ended my round and ended up in the Urgent Care Clinic. I could not find a nest, yet due to the fact that I'm allergic to their sting used my ball retriever to snag my ball and move it to an area no nearer the hole in the fairway where I was no longer being bothered by the wasps. I'm not about to stand around and look for the nest. Are you? Dangerous situation.

There are reasons that wasps can swarm without a nest - someone dropped a hot dog. In about July, certain species of wasps have their normal source of food (a certain species of small insects) deplete and they start foraging. This is why you find them around picnic tables, bar-b-ques etc, after the 4th of July. Prior to then you rarely have a problem with them. 

However, we are answering the situations as described.

[rogolf]

If I'm working as a referee, I will ask you to show me what you consider a dangerous situation, then ask you why you consider it so.  Then I will decide, based on our conversation and my experience and knowledge, whether or not free relief is warranted.  I will probably err on the side of safety based on your input and my experience and knowledge.  However, I will not make a statement which would provide a ruling for the next situation encountered.  Each one is different and making a "blanket" statement to cover every situation does not work for anyone.  "Potential" or "possible" dangerous situations are not covered in the Decisions, they only cover those situations which are dangerous.

[Lihu]

I answered all but these two:

• Same situation as #3 but the dog is a miniature schnauzer
• Same situation as #4 but he has a strong phobia of all dogs from having been attacked as a child

Actually, if he's that close to a dog on a chain then he's probably OB?

[DrvFrShow]

  On 2/13/2016 at 1:34 AM, Lihu said:

I answered all but these two:

• Same situation as #3 but the dog is a miniature schnauzer
• Same situation as #4 but he has a strong phobia of all dogs from having been attacked as a child

Actually, if he's that close to a dog on a chain then he's probably OB?

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Not necessarily. We have a situation like this on my home course where some owners did not put up fences because they like to have direct access to the cart path which also serves as a walking trail. They have dogs. If the dog is chained the dog could conceivably go to the edge of their yard. Your ball could be in bounds. But you could have to stand out of bounds to hit the ball, thus getting your butt bit by the dog.

And like I said, small dogs can and do bite. I would err on the side of safety and give relief.

[BaldTexan]

Why did you leave out ants?

 

[bkuehn1952]

  On 2/18/2016 at 1:44 PM, BaldTexan said:

Why did you leave out ants?

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Presumably you are talking about fire ants.  When I originally asked the question and created the poll, I was just curious as to the thinking process of other golfers.  My intention was to not list every potentially dangerous situation.

I encourage you to start a discussion about ants, dangerous conditions, free relief ,etc...

[acetoolguy]

Does the rule only apply if the golfer is in danger? What if its a very friendly dog and your afraid you'll hit him with your swing as he prances around looking for attention? Though as others have said that's a pretty long leash....

[David in FL]

  On 2/20/2016 at 10:37 PM, acetoolguy said:

Does the rule only apply if the golfer is in danger? What if its a very friendly dog and your afraid you'll hit him with your swing as he prances around looking for attention? Though as others have said that's a pretty long leash....

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Yes.  The rule specifically applies to a situation that puts the player in danger. 

[AbsoluteTruths]

@9wood is correct about bees not stinging while they are out collecting pollen and necter. They will only sting you when you are near or disturb their nest. They are too busy to care about you otherwise They only live aproxamitly 28 days and will die if they sting you and will not be able to acomplish their mission.

Most people are stung by wasps and say it was a bee.

I selected almost all of the options because we are playing a game and are not on the tour.