Seniors Trophy / Competitons
Q : Water in bunkers, what happens
A: If the bunker(s) has been declared GUR, you can drop out not nearer the hole
with no penalty. If not GUR a drop in the bunker is required with no penalty
but probably a plugged lie. If the bunker is full of water and you have to drop
outside it is a penalty of one stroke! , unfair but true.
Q: Ball lands in a GUR area, what can you do.
A: At Sweetwoods you can drop without penalty not nearer the hole at the nearest
point of relief OR play the ball. Yes even in a GUR area! In fact this is a general
rule in golf unless there is a local rule which prohibits playing the ball.
Q : What to do if the ball is plugged
A: Of course most likely to happen in the winter. Through the Green mark
the ball position, pick and clean the ball and drop as near as possible to the
plug place. If plugged in a hazard, it is tough; play or drop for the penalty.
Q: Whats 'Through the Green'
A : Through the Green is ANYWHERE on the golf course, except the teeing area,
greens and hazards.
Q: Ball lands in a unrepaired divot on the fairway, what next.
A: If winter rules were in place, you could pick and place with no penalty. Otherwise
it is tough, and for many unfair to themselves and the course; but the ball must
be hit from the divot.
Q: Teeing off the 1st your ball lands on the slope to the left of the fairway
and stays there.
A: At one time used to be GUR; no longer you have to hit off the slope.
Q: Across the second fairway before the first bunker there is a 'channel',
what can do if you land in it
A: At Sweetwoods a drainage ditch is what you have for example by the tree to
the left on the 11th fairway. This 'channel' is not a ditch, therefore ball
must be played as is, no free drop. Also there is no ditch across the 6th fairway
either.
Q: The trees to the left of the 2nd green have shale around the base, what to
do if the ball lands there.
A: Free drop not nearer the hole, within a club length.
Q: Off the 4th tee the ball lands up in the trees on the left, not uncommon to
say the least.
A: If the ball is unplayable you can drop 2 club lengths with a penalty of one
stroke. OR you can go back and play 3 off the tee. You can not take any provisional
ball you might have creamed down to the bell.
Q: Still on the 4th , your 2nd / 3rd shot ends up in the ditch or trees on the
right.
A: You can drop 2 club lengths from where it crossed the red line not nearer
the hole; but strictly where is crossed the hazard, not where you can have a
good view of the green!. OR you can drop back as far as you like keeping the
place where the ball finished up between you and the flag; which probably means
you would be dropping on the 6th fairway and hitting over the trees. OR play
again from where you hit the errant shot, penalty of one shot.
Q: 2nd or 3rd shot on the 13th before or on the dance floor and the ball flys
left into the gorge.
A: It depends where the ball crosses the red line. If by dropping another ball
2 club lengths , not nearer the hole, you still have a decent shot to the green;
it would probably be the best option. Alternatively hit another ball from where
you played the errant shot; with a penalty of one shot.
Q: What happens if a ball lands on the bridges, 13th and 14th or path across
the ditch on the 8th.
A: These are immovable obstructions IN the hazard. You can play off, otherwise
a one stroke penalty if you drop off not nearer the hole. If you play off the
bridge or path you CAN, yes CAN ground your club.
Q: On the subject of Hazards, can you hit out of one.
A: Yes, say from the laterals ( red ) to the left and right of the 5th ; or from
the water hazard ( yellow ) as per the first ditch on the 14th .
But ! You must not ground your club . AND if you move anything in the hazard
e.g. grass, leaf, stick, stone you get a 2 shot penalty in medal and loss of
hole in match play.
Q: Off the 16th tee ball lands in those damn trees/holly bushes and is unplayable.
A: You could with penalty of one stroke move the ball 2 club lengths not nearer
the hole. OR drop back from the point in bushes as far as you like keeping a
line with the hole. In the 16th case you could be dropping on the 15th fairway
and hitting over the trees. OR go back to the tee and play 3 off the tee. You
can not take any provisional ball you might have creamed.
Q: Teeing off the 17th you land on the path by the 18th tee.
A: Drop off not nearer the hole. However your ball after dropping will probably
role down a hill further than the allowed 2 club lengths. You can place the
ball after 2 attempts.
Q: On the 18th fairway beyond the tree you shank your second shot into the trees.
A: As before you have the option of playing with a penalty of one shot from the
same place you hit the shank.
Q: For many rules you are allowed to drop, how do you do that.
A: You do not place the ball on the ground, or casually underarm it somewhere.
Within the designated distance, you extend your arm shoulder height and drop;
as seen on TV !