Rules of Golf - Nearest point of relief 04Jan09

Rules of Golf - Barry Rhodes explains Nearest Point of Relief, which is probably the part of the Rules that is most often misunderstood. Go to http://www.barryrhodes.com for miscellaneous content that will help you get a better understanding of the Rules of Golf.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• nearest point of relief
• NPR
• relief from obstruction
• relief from paths
• relief from GUR
• ground under repair
• Rules of Golf
• golf rules

[andersmic]

Thaks Barry. One question though - if the hole location were right in front of the arrow, dropping on the right side of the GUR would actually move the ball closer to the hole. Is that in violation of the "not nearer to the hole" or is that only coming into consideration when dropping the ball AFTER having found the nearest point of relief?

[9ty9]

@andersmic This is hard to describe without a diagram, but remember that the player must drop the ball within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, not nearer the hole. This means that the imaginary arc in which the player may drop their ball will be at an angle running approximately south-east of the nearest point of relief.

Barry

[LRP6]

Hey Barry, I have seen on another site, a definition of NPR from an immovable object It stated- 'the spot or point of nearest relief must be determined without crossing over, under, or through the immovable obstruction. The exception where crossing over, through, or under does not apply is to cart paths or artificial surfaces'

Where in the Rules is this mentioned?

[9ty9]

@LRP6 This was removed from Rule 24-2b in 2000. It was replaced by Note 3: "The Committee may make a Local Rule stating that the player must determine the nearest point of relief without crossing over, through or under the obstruction."

Barry

[9ty9]

@glowgolfer @glowgolfer No, If you read the section on taking relief abnormal ground conditions, such as GUR, (Rule 25-1b) you will see the following words; "Through the Green: If the ball lies through the green, the player must lift the ball and drop it, without penalty, within one club-length of and not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief. The nearest point of relief must not be in a hazard or on a putting green.

Barry

[9ty9]

@glowgolfer This is one of those situations where you have to know all the facts of the situation before you can make a ruling. Read the Exception to Rule 24-2b, Relief from Immovable Obstruction and you will see that you cannot claim relief if the interference by an immovable obstruction would occur only through use of an unnecessarily abnormal stance, swing or direction of play. The same applies to any other time you are determining the nearest point of relief.

Barry

[LRP6]

@9ty9 Thanks Barry. Your answer may have caused a few grumbles but at least now we have definitive answer. Cheers Bob P