Bunker Liner Rule Changed on PGA Tour

[iacas]

http://golfweek.com/2018/02/07/the-forecaddie-pga-tour-takes-stand-with-bunker-liner-rule/

Quote

On the “hard card” rules sheet distributed to players at this week’s Farmers Insurance Open and at all Tour stops, the committee has instituted local rules that now permit “ a drop only if a player’s swing path is impacted by a rogue liner.

“The Rules Committee may deem an exposed liner ground under repair. However, interference by a liner with a player’s stance is deemed not to be, of itself, interference under Rule 25-1.”

I'm glad, mostly, but without spending too much time looking into this… the bunker liner is man-made, and an obstruction, and the Rules of Golf grant you relief for obstructions for your stance, too. Isn't this a Rule 24 issue?

Again, only two minutes of thought here, but I don't consider a bunker liner an abnormal ground condition.

[Rulesman]

By Definition the committee can deem anything to be GUR (ie an AGC). The note ro 25-1a of course allows the restricted relief.

 

Edit. I'm pretty sure I have seen a similar LR previously re a loose liner.

 

 

Edited February 9, 2018 by Rulesman

[iacas]

2 minutes ago, Rulesman said:

By Definition the committee can deem anything to be GUR (ie an AGC). The note ro 25-1a of course allows the restricted relief.

Edit. I'm pretty sure I have seen a similar LR previously re a loose liner.

Yep, there we go. That's what I didn't think of in my rush. GUR = Abnormal Ground Condition. Derp.

Thanks.

[DeadMan]

This is good. I was not a huge fan of players really digging their feet into the sand when they had a bad lie so they could get relief. If I remember correctly, Grace did a lot of digging and then found the liner. Not a great look. (I don't remember the Hoffman incident beyond that it happened).

Granted, that's the European Tour for Grace, but I think this is a positive step. Now if they'll just do something about backstopping