At my home course, the par 5, 3rd hole runs 585 yards uphill from tee to green, alongside a steep bank which parallels virtually the entire length of the hole. To the right of the fairway there are maybe 10 yards of rough, then a large curb and cart path also running the entire length. On the right side of the cart path starts the steep bank. The right side of the path is marked with red stakes indicating that the bank is considered a lateral hazard, not OB. This bank has NO water on it. It is primarily weeds and high fescue, nearly impossible in which to find a ball, and if you do, even more difficult to hit it out.

So, when I do land in this hazard, unless I see my ball clearly playable in the hazard, I typically just estimate where I crossed the hazard line, take a one stroke penalty and drop a ball behind that point. The question I have, since the cart path takes up pretty much the two club-length drop zone of which I am allowed according to the rules, do I have to drop on the asphalt cart path, or can I drop two club lengths to the left of the path? Or must it be as near as possible to the left side of the cart path without interference from the curb with my swing? I have seen it played different ways, but for tournament purposes, I should know the rule. I never think to ask in the clubhouse. I usually only think of it when I get in the situation, mumbling to myself, "Oh yeah, I was gonna ask somebody about this, but as usual, forgot."

What's your take?

DougE wrote:

What's your take?

Here is how I would do it, and mind you I am not a rules expert, by any means.

I think that dropping within 2 club lengths from the hazard line puts you in the middle-left side of the cart path, and from there your nearest point of relief (from the cart path) is on the left side of the cart path, so take your stance there that provides complete relief, (i.e. ball in the grass/rough/whatever but off the cart path). Then mark one club length from your heels, further left. That's how far back you can take your stance (heels), and you now need to drop between the point where the ball would be in that new stance position and one club length to the right (back towards the cart path). This is assuming I am right-handed, which I am...

In a tournament setting, I think you take 2 club lengths and drop it on the path. At that point the next step is pretty much determined by where the ball caroms. If it goes more than 2 club lengths from the spot it was dropped, I re-drop. If the same thing happens, then I place it on the cart path. At that point, I may take relief without penalty from the cart path. The point of nearest relief (not in a hazard) would seem to be somewhere left of the path, back toward the fairway.

Of course, the ball might bounce off the path back in play. Then I would be good to go. If it bounces into the hazard or goes nearer the hole, I re-drop and proceed from there.

If I were playing and not in a tournament, I would most likely just skip the step of dropping on the path rather than delay play while I went through the Rules gyrations.

WARNING: I am a Rules Snob which means I just think I know all the Rules.

Nah BK, you're right on all counts. Basically you SHOULD skip that if you're not in a tournament setting as you do.

EDIT:: after being all over the rulebook and not being able to find anything on this particular subject i decided to put it to the USGA. i'm waiting on an email from them with the answer. Basically there are supposed to be local rules for situations like this and i think the ROG figure everybody's got one in place. I'll keep you posted.

Perfectly correct so says the USGA. When putting a ball into play under Rule 26-1 (water hazard), the player is allowed to drop within the two clublengths even if it's onto an obstruction (cart path). When dropped on the cart path if the ball rolls into an area where it is in play and there is interference from the cart path, he may then take relief under Rule 24-2b. There ya go, paraphrased from the horse's mouth.

Thanks for the help guys. All makes sense.