Abnormal Ground Condition

Hi Folks,

We’ve had a lot of rain recently and as a result many of the bunkers in my local club have deep groves or track like shapes cut into the sand. They are created as the water runs off the green etc. and in many cases these groves are down to soil level.

I ended up in one of these recently and my ball was actually lying on a bed of stones. I though this would come under the abnormal ground condition rule and I would have a free drop in the bunker but I was told that this only applied if there was water in the bunker and I would have to play the ball as it lies.

Is this correct?

I'm afraid so. Unless the committee had identified the eroded part of the bunker as an Abnormal Ground Condition.

Thanks for the reply. At least I know now.

hi
if playing in a comp then you have to follow the rules and play it where it lies I'm sorry to say, if i was just playing with my friends I'd ask them for a drop in the bunker so not to damage my club on the stones. same if me or friends were up against a stump or a root, no point in someone hurting there wrist if it only a round between friends.
cheers
bill

This is why you must learn the rules...lol...under rule 28: unplayable lye. You can, except in a water hazard, anywhere on the course, deem your ball to be unplayable. It will cost you a stroke, but it is better then buying a new club. The player is the sole judge as to when a ball is playable under this rule
Golf Rules FAQ - Declaring a Ball Unplayable

I believe Bill knows the 'unplayable lie' rules - I think his point was of the difference between formal competition games and informal games with friends. I suspect, like Bill, that in an informal game with my family, I wouldn't have to pay a penalty stroke for a drop in this case, though there is a grey line between that and me getting the hump with my brother when he got a plugged lie but not on CMA and took a drop anyway

If you are simply playing a casual game with friends then it is arguable that your group are the 'Committee'. So you make the Local Rules for the day within your group.

If you are recording your scores for handicap purposes (under the USGA system for example) you may need to make some form of adjustment.

Above is the correct procedure, but if the course is weather beaten and my playing partners insisted I played, then (I) would declare it unplayable and appeal afterwards, poss take a picture on my mobile, of course it would be switched straight off again.

Between me and you only, I would simply allow you to move it a few inches to a sandy spot, does it really matter in winter, surely your not still playing club comps other than the weekly pro jobbie.

I find winter bunkers great for chipping practice, play them just like a chip, if you don't hit down it doesn't come out.


Ian.

__________________
Once you learn the swing, your next step is mastering golf psychology................

Hi All,

Thanks for all the replies. I asked my pro at our driving range the same question (hoping I’d get a more favourable answer) and unfortunately under the rules I have to play the ball as it lies or I could take a penalty and drop the ball in the bunker.

Here is the exact rule:

The player may deem his ball unplayable at any place on the course, except when the ball is in a water hazard. The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable.
If the player deems his ball to be unplayable, he must under penalty of one stroke:
a. Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or
b. Drop a ball behind the point where the ball lay, keeping that point directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind that point the ball may be dropped; or
c. Drop a ball within two club-lengths of the spot where the ball lay, but not nearer the hole.
If the unplayable ball is in a bunker, the player may proceed under Clause a, b or c. If he elects to proceed under Clause b or c, a ball must be dropped in the bunker.
When proceeding under this Rule, the player may lift and clean his ball or substitute a ball.

As somebody already stated the competition committee could declare certain conditions as ground under repair.

Thanks again for the feedback.

Regards

Bryan

You were pretty lucky, many pros are not that reliable on the rules. They don't get paid for knowing them.

Incidentally, GoNavy pointed out the rule (Rule 28) (the one you have just quoted) earlier and provided a link to it.

If not playing under tournamnet rules, (no tournament committee) but knowing that there is weather damage to certain parts of the course, could a casual player just ask the guy taking his money if such damaged areas are "ground under repair"? Maybe ask one of those on course marshals? If one , or the other were to agree (in this case) that the water damage in the bunkers were considered ground under repair, wouldn't the golfer be able to use this decision to his/her's advantage? GJS

If you are just playing casual golf just do what you and your group agree on, but yes, if you have the opportunity ask a marshall or other staffer.
However, if you are playing for handicap under the USGA or RCGA system, you should check what score you should return fo that hole.