Obstructions are defined as anything artificial or quite simply, anything man-made. They come in two varieties: movable and immovable. Both are covered under Rule 24. If an object can be moved without unreasonable effort it is considered to be movable. Otherwise it is an immovable obstruction. Objects defining out of bounds such as fences, walls and stakes are not obstructions.
Movable Obstructions
Movable obstructions differ from loose impediments, in that they are not natural objects. If when removing a movable obstruction, the ball moves, there is no penalty. Even in a hazard. If the ball moves, simply replace it. Should the ball come to rest on or in the movable obstruction, lift the ball, remove the obstruction, and drop the ball as near as possible to the spot under where it originally lay. The Committee may declare stones in bunkers to be movable obstructions.
Common immovable obstructions are cart paths and sprinkler heads. Rule 24 states you have interference from an immovable obstruction if your ball or stance touches it or it interferes with your intended swing. You don’t get relief from an immovable obstruction along your line of play. Additionally, there is no relief from an immovable obstruction if your ball is in a water hazard.
To take relief from an immovable obstruction, you need to determine your nearest point of relief. This is the nearest place to where the ball originally lies that interference ceases to exist, which is not nearer the hole. You may drop the ball within one club-length of the nearest point. If your ball is in a bunker, you must drop it in the bunker.
There are no guarantees that the nearest point of relief will put you in a better situation than your original position. Therefore, before you touch your ball, determine the nearest point of relief!
Temporary immovable obstructions or “TIO’s“ as they’re referred to, are non-permanent obstructions erected in conjunction with a tournament. Examples of TIO’s include scoreboards, grandstands, television towers etc. and are usually only found at professional and National events. What makes a temporary immovable obstruction unique is that in addition to getting relief for interference, a player is entitled to “line of sight” relief if the TIO intervenes between the ball and the hole. This type relief is only granted because the obstruction would not normally be on the course if it weren’t for the tournament.
If the Committee believes that free relief from an immovable obstruction would reward a poor shot or change the integrity of a hole, it may declare an obstruction to be an “integral part of the course”. By doing so, the player either must either play the ball as it lies or declare it unplayable – under penalty of one stroke.
Without a doubt, the most famous integral part of a course is the road to the right of the 17th green on the Road Hole at the Old Course in St. Andrews. Obviously, the road is the most important element of the hole. By giving free relief for a ball that comes to rest on the road would not only eliminate one of the challenges of the hole but also, destroy its character.
Points to Remember...
An obstruction is any man-made object.
Objects defining out of bounds are not obstructions.
Before taking relief from an obstruction, determine your nearest point of relief.
Retaining walls within bunkers and water hazards are frequently declared integral parts of the course.
There is no free relief from an integral part of the course.
A Committee may declare stones in bunkers to be movable obstructions.
For more information on Obstructions or any Rule of Golf, or to purchase a copy of The Rules of Golf or The Decisions on the Rules of Golf, log on to the RCGA website at www.rcga.org.