[jlab-9hgl 00176] rules clarification

[Mac Mestayer]

Hello golf league;

I am writing this in behalf of the rules committee: Kelly
Dixon, Paul Powers and me.

I was asked by a league member for clarification of the
"you don't have to hit it off rocks" rule.

The present rule (5-j) is the following and is somewhat unclear:

"Outside of a hazard including the woods and tree roots, if your ball comes to
rest on or near rocks that you feel might cause injury or damage your club, 
you may drop the ball within one club-length of the nearest safe spot, no 
closer to the hole, for no penalty if your opponent agrees.  Otherwise, use 
the unplayable lie rule:
 	Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the  original 
ball was last played (see Rule 20-5 of USGA rules); OR
 	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
 	Drop a ball within two club-lengths of the spot where the ball lay, 
but not nearer the hole."

We propose the following rule change: the language is clearer we hope and
the only substantive change is that you no longer need your opponent's
consent.

"If your ball comes to rest on or near rocks that you feel
might cause injury or damage your club, you may drop the ball within
one club-length of the nearest safe spot, no closer to the hole, for
no penalty, unless you are in a hazard or in the woods, in which case
you may drop out of the hazard or woods for a one-stroke penalty or
play the ball as it lies or use the unplayable lie rule:
 	Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the  original 
ball was last played (see Rule 20-5 of USGA rules); OR
 	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
 	Drop a ball within two club-lengths of the spot where the ball lay, 
but not nearer the hole."

 				Mac Mestayer (for the rules committee)

questions? comments?

"mestayer at jlab.org", (757)-269-7252