Immovable object

[criley4way]

Playing in an event a partner's ball came to rest 5-6' behind a post (about 4" wide and 3' tall). The post did not interfere with the stance or swing but it was close or in the line of flight. My interpretation of the rule is that this situation does not get relief per 24-2. Immovable Obstruction.

Interference by an immovable obstruction occurs when a ball lies in or on the obstruction, or when the obstruction interferes with the player's stance or the area of his intended swing. If the player's ball lies on the putting green, interference also occurs if an immovable obstruction on the putting green intervenes on his line of putt. Otherwise, intervention on the line of play is not, of itself, interference under this Rule.

No in a friendly game i would not bother. I also am very liberal with my interpretation of interfering with swing. I understand this to be a reasonable belief that the object COULD interfere with the swing.

Anyone ever have a a different interpretation?

[Rulesman]

Unless you can virtually touch the obstruction with your club when you swing, there is no relief.

[iacas]

A lot of those posts are actually movable. Did he try?

Otherwise I agree; no relief.

[criley4way]

13 hours ago, Rulesman said:

Unless you can virtually touch the obstruction with your club when you swing, there is no relief.

It is my understanding that it is a belief by the player that the object interferes. Like many rules in golf it is the mindset of the player that determines the effect.

 

10 hours ago, iacas said:

A lot of those posts are actually movable. Did he try?

Otherwise I agree; no relief.

Yes we wiggled it and it did not budge. Plus the post said "Gas line" so I didn't want to try too hard.

[iacas]

2 hours ago, criley4way said:

It is my understanding that it is a belief by the player that the object interferes. Like many rules in golf it is the mindset of the player that determines the effect.

This is not one of those situations.

The object has to actually interfere.

There’s even a Decision about mental interference (no relief).

[criley4way]

16 minutes ago, iacas said:

This is not one of those situations.

The object has to actually interfere.

There’s even a Decision about mental interference (no relief).

So does a realistic swing need to touch the object?

[iacas]

1 minute ago, criley4way said:

So does a realistic swing need to touch the object?

Or be very close yes.

[Martyn W]

10 hours ago, criley4way said:

So does a realistic swing need to touch the object?

Yes (or very close as @iacas posted).   "Exception: A player may not take relief under this Rule if (a) interference by anything other than an immovable obstruction makes the stroke clearly impracticable or (b) interference by an immovable obstruction would occur only through use of a clearly unreasonable stroke or an unnecessarily abnormal stance, swing or direction of play.

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