I've never seen the hole (obviously), I was just going by the description in Post #1. If there is no grass, and it appears that there isn't, I guess it depends on the look. Again, the course needs to make a permanent clarification and state it. I've given you my best opinion without seeing the hole. Again, however, dropping in the bunker should never be the right answer (meaning, I'd darn sure play it off of there before I'd drop it and nearly guarantee myself a tough lie [unless the sand is wet and hard]).

 

:thumb:

Ok, here is my interpretation. If I am correct in assuming the ball has come to rest on the cart path, he can either play it from there OR he takes his nearest point of relief no nearer the hole from the path using his stance plus one club length. If this point happens to be in the bunker, he has the option of dropping there or not taking the drop at all provided he has not lifted his ball.

I cant fathom that a cart path is in the bunker and is also a part of the hazard. It is also hard for me to imagine that his ball came to rest on the path and was not touching any part of the hazard if it sand right up to the path. If his ball were touching part of the hazard and his stance was taking place on the cart path, he definitely does not get relief from the path. Maybe some of this can be cleared up.

I have discussed this situation with several members of our course today. The thinking is that the bunker next to the # 9 green is separate from the bunker next to the # 2 green. That is, they are two separate bunkers in relation to two different greens. The cart path would not be a part of the bunkers, only adjacent to both of them. I suppose this will need to be updated and clarified on the rules sheet and score cards.

To answer another question, there is only sand on either side of the bunkers next to the cart path, no grass. The cart path is made of concrete, which has a rough surface design, and that is probably why the ball was able to stay on the path. If it had been asphalt that would more than likely not have been possible.

As for the design being "dumb", well, that's not what we hear from visitors who play the course. The one's I have talked to say they love it, it is different..."unique" is a word they often used. I have played courses in the south that have similar designs. Our's is one of the best features of our course imo.

I have discussed this situation with several members of our course today. The thinking is that the bunker next to the # 9 green is separate from the bunker next to the # 2 green. That is, they are two separate bunkers in relation to two different greens. The cart path would not be a part of the bunkers, only adjacent to both of them. I suppose this will need to be updated and clarified on the rules sheet and score cards.

To answer another question, there is only sand on either side of the bunkers next to the cart path, no grass. The cart path is made of concrete, which has a rough surface design, and that is probably why the ball was able to stay on the path. If it had been asphalt that would more than likely not have been possible.

As for the design being "dumb", well, that's not what we hear from visitors who play the course. The one's I have talked to say they love it, it is different..."unique" is a word they often used. I have played courses in the south that have similar designs. Our's is one of the best features of our course imo.

 

I agree Prof. It is very different and one of the best features of the course. Guess you would have to see it in person to appreciate the design.

I agree Prof. It is very different and one of the best features of the course. Guess you would have to see it in person to appreciate the design.

 

It might be "different" or "unique" but it sounds like a rules nightmare!!!:madman:

 

Bell alum, I didn't think you could take relief from an immovable obstruction in a hazard.

If this link works, here is a picture of the cart path and the bunkers. It is taken from the # 2 green with the # 9 green in the background.

 

http://saghollow.com/Sag%20Web%20Site%20Pictures/Copy%20of%20Opening%20Day/IMG_4501.JPG

If this link works, here is a picture of the cart path and the bunkers. It is taken from the # 2 green with the # 9 green in the background.

 

http://saghollow.com/Sag%20Web%20Site%20Pictures/Copy%20of%20Opening%20Day/IMG_4501.JPG

I don't see any lateral markings but perhaps it's a local rule.

 

Could you take relief, no nearer the hole but back to where the ball crossed into the hazard.

 

By the way, did he make the putt.

If this link works, here is a picture of the cart path and the bunkers. It is taken from the # 2 green with the # 9 green in the background.

 

http://saghollow.com/Sag%20Web%20Site%20Pictures/Copy%20of%20Opening%20Day/IMG_4501.JPG

 

 

Couple of things:

 

* That is exactly how I was picturing it. I didn't mean to sound nasty, it looks pretty, it is just a rules night-mare unless a local rule is specified.

 

* My opinion would be, after seeing it, and barring a local rule, that no drop would be given; play it off the path, it is part of the hazard.

I don't see any lateral markings but perhaps it's a local rule.

 

Could you take relief, no nearer the hole but back to where the ball crossed into the hazard.

 

By the way, did he make the putt.

 

I think so.

I think they have decided that the path is not part of a hazard, only dividing two bunkers. I don't think this situation will come up very much. I mean, how many times is a golf ball going to come to a rest on a cart path?

Couple of things:

 

* That is exactly how I was picturing it. I didn't mean to sound nasty, it looks pretty, it is just a rules night-mare unless a local rule is specified.

 

* My opinion would be, after seeing it, and barring a local rule, that no drop would be given; play it off the path, it is part of the hazard.

 

That is what they are going to do. We are preparing to print new scorecards anyway, so that can be added in there.

It might be "different" or "unique" but it sounds like a rules nightmare!!!:madman:

 

Bell alum, I didn't think you could take relief from an immovable obstruction in a hazard.

 

I believe it has been determined the path is not actually in the hazard, as it is a separation of the two hazards.

 

You would be correct in that you cannot take relief from an immovable obstruction in a hazard.

If this link works, here is a picture of the cart path and the bunkers. It is taken from the # 2 green with the # 9 green in the background.

 

http://saghollow.com/Sag%20Web%20Site%20Pictures/Copy%20of%20Opening%20Day/IMG_4501.JPG

 

It may look nice, but judging by the picture I would imagine it is not pretty in that bunker. I'm sure a ball barely rolls off the path sometimes, and gets in tire tracks where someone has come off the path a little bit or they are right next to the path and have to deal with hitting the path as they accelerate down through the ball. Interesting to say the least.

It may look nice, but judging by the picture I would imagine it is not pretty in that bunker. I'm sure a ball barely rolls off the path sometimes, and gets in tire tracks where someone has come off the path a little bit or they are right next to the path and have to deal with hitting the path as they accelerate down through the ball. Interesting to say the least.

 

Great point for Professor. Is that local ruling going to address tire tracks left in the bunker from carts that wander off the cart path.

Great point for Professor. Is that local ruling going to address tire tracks left in the bunker from carts that wander off the cart path.

 

You would almost have to consider a lift, rake, and place rule in those bunkers.

You would almost have to consider a lift, rake, and place rule in those bunkers.

 

I would play foot wedge.:sssh: