2019 OB & Lost Ball Rule

[Mr. Bean]

I agree with that philosophy

 

Me too. Common sense is what counts. It is a pitty that cannot be taught.

[rogolf]

I agree with that philosophy

 

Me too. Common sense is what counts. It is a pitty that cannot be taught.

and that it's not all that common.

[Sawgrass]

I agree with that philosophy

 

Me too. Common sense is what counts. It is a pitty that cannot be taught.

Why would you need to bother teaching something that's already common? Your job is pretty much already done!

[Newby]

I agree with that philosophy

 

Me too. Common sense is what counts. It is a pitty that cannot be taught.

Why would you need to bother teaching something that's already common? Your job is pretty much already done!

 

Maybe to explain that it isn't always sensible.

[Sawgrass]

I agree with that philosophy

 

Me too. Common sense is what counts. It is a pitty that cannot be taught.

Why would you need to bother teaching something that's already common? Your job is pretty much already done!

 

Maybe to explain that it isn't always sensible.

"Sensible sense" is a concept I can really get behind!

[Newby]

Although behind you'd be ahead of the game.

[antip]

Although behind you'd be ahead of the game.

it's difficult to be ahead of your behind

[nsxguy]

Winter's in full swing I see,,,,,,,,,,,, :)

[Newby]

Sorry about that.

 

When I booted up this morning I was impressed to see that at a rough count 28 of the top 30 threads were about Rules rather than behavior. Is this a record? Admittedly some are getting a bit laboured now but so what.

At times over the past few years the ratio seemed to be reversed.

[bladehunter]

Makes finding a ball a little more difficult, but with four of us looking it's not a problem (we don't subscribe to the practice of hitting our own ball before looking for a fellow golfer's ball - the more eyes in the search, the better, and I don't think that practice saves any time.)

 

I believe it does not save time all the time but it does in those cases where different balls are about the same distance from the hole. After all, other players are playing their balls during the search time so it is bound to save time.

I'm still of the mind that I owe it to others to search for their ball before playing mine, particularly with the change to three minutes. Courtesy is more important than a few seconds saved (especially if we're waiting on the group in front). Time doesn't trump everything!

Absolutely. Always help look before hitting. It’s a distraction otherwise and courtesy before always seems to yeild a good result on the next shot. It’s an unwritten rule. Everybody looks for the balll. Next time the ball maybe yours.

[DaveLeeNC]

Makes finding a ball a little more difficult, but with four of us looking it's not a problem (we don't subscribe to the practice of hitting our own ball before looking for a fellow golfer's ball - the more eyes in the search, the better, and I don't think that practice saves any time.)

 

I believe it does not save time all the time but it does in those cases where different balls are about the same distance from the hole. After all, other players are playing their balls during the search time so it is bound to save time.

I'm still of the mind that I owe it to others to search for their ball before playing mine, particularly with the change to three minutes. Courtesy is more important than a few seconds saved (especially if we're waiting on the group in front). Time doesn't trump everything!

Absolutely. Always help look before hitting. It's a distraction otherwise and courtesy before always seems to yeild a good result on the next shot. It's an unwritten rule. Everybody looks for the balll. Next time the ball maybe yours.

 

While I agree with the sentiment, the implementation that I use most often is different. If my playing partner (or opponent) is looking for a ball and mine is not terribly far away and can be played now, I will go hit my ball and then go help look. I guess this kind of minimizes the effectiveness of the (now) 3 minute search time, but that is how we typically do it.

 

dave

[95124hacker]

Sorry if someone already posted this question.

Hard dogleg right par 4 with forced carry off the tee.

Someone in our group hooked a ball to the left into thick rough.

Didn’t play a provisional.

After 3 minutes, ball wasn’t found.

Closest FW edge is closer to the hole due to the dogleg right. Remember due to forced carry, there’s no FW between tee box and area where ball was lost.

Drop options other than re-tee?

[Mr. Bean]

Sorry if someone already posted this question.

Hard dogleg right par 4 with forced carry off the tee.

Someone in our group hooked a ball to the left into thick rough.

Didn’t play a provisional.

After 3 minutes, ball wasn’t found.

Closest FW edge is closer to the hole due to the dogleg right. Remember due to forced carry, there’s no FW between tee box and area where ball was lost.

Drop options other than re-tee?

 

Closest FW edge is irrelevant. What you need to find is a FW edge equidistant from the hole. This can most likely be found, but if not, the teeing grounds also qualify as area mown to fairway height or less.

 

Re-tee is always an option and in your case could be the only one.

[nsxguy]

Sorry if someone already posted this question.

Hard dogleg right par 4 with forced carry off the tee.

Someone in our group hooked a ball to the left into thick rough.

Didn’t play a provisional.

After 3 minutes, ball wasn’t found.

Closest FW edge is closer to the hole due to the dogleg right. Remember due to forced carry, there’s no FW between tee box and area where ball was lost.

Drop options other than re-tee?

 

Check out Post 278 in this thread and the ensuing posts for the definitive answer.

 

It's not your dogleg situation but it does address the "no fairway" issue you present.

[DaveLeeNC]

Sorry if someone already posted this question.

Hard dogleg right par 4 with forced carry off the tee.

Someone in our group hooked a ball to the left into thick rough.

Didn’t play a provisional.

After 3 minutes, ball wasn’t found.

Closest FW edge is closer to the hole due to the dogleg right. Remember due to forced carry, there’s no FW between tee box and area where ball was lost.

Drop options other than re-tee?

 

Closest FW edge is irrelevant. What you need to find is a FW edge equidistant from the hole. This can most likely be found, but if not, the teeing grounds also qualify as area mown to fairway height or less.

 

Re-tee is always an option and in your case could be the only one.

 

I am sure that Mr. Bean intended to say this, but your reference point/FW edge does not have to be equidistant from the hole. It just needs to be the closest that is not nearer the hole. As Mr. Bean said it could possibly be back at the tee box in some situations.

 

Just a clarification.

 

dave

[Mr. Bean]

Sorry if someone already posted this question.

Hard dogleg right par 4 with forced carry off the tee.

Someone in our group hooked a ball to the left into thick rough.

Didn’t play a provisional.

After 3 minutes, ball wasn’t found.

Closest FW edge is closer to the hole due to the dogleg right. Remember due to forced carry, there’s no FW between tee box and area where ball was lost.

Drop options other than re-tee?

 

Closest FW edge is irrelevant. What you need to find is a FW edge equidistant from the hole. This can most likely be found, but if not, the teeing grounds also qualify as area mown to fairway height or less.

 

Re-tee is always an option and in your case could be the only one.

 

I am sure that Mr. Bean intended to say this, but your reference point/FW edge does not have to be equidistant from the hole. It just needs to be the closest that is not nearer the hole. As Mr. Bean said it could possibly be back at the tee box in some situations.

 

Just a clarification.

 

dave

 

Thanks, Dave. That is what I meant, just failed to put it in words correctly (in a haste).

[95124hacker]

I hope a phone app comes out where you can enter the course & hole you’re playing, links to Google maps for an aerial view, and let’s you tap the spot where you hit OB or lost your ball. Then it would automatically draw the lines and show you your relief area.

[rogolf]

I hope a phone app comes out where you can enter the course & hole you’re playing, links to Google maps for an aerial view, and let’s you tap the spot where you hit OB or lost your ball. Then it would automatically draw the lines and show you your relief area.

Maybe the app would also know whether or not the Local Rule had been implemented at that course. If not implemented, then no lines or relief area - could just say "did you hit a provisional?"

[nsxguy]

I hope a phone app comes out where you can enter the course & hole you’re playing, links to Google maps for an aerial view, and let’s you tap the spot where you hit OB or lost your ball. Then it would automatically draw the lines and show you your relief area.

 

That's actually not a terrible idea.

 

I wonder though whether Google earth can detect fairway from rough though - can it be that specific ?

[Sawgrass]

I hope a phone app comes out where you can enter the course & hole you’re playing, links to Google maps for an aerial view, and let’s you tap the spot where you hit OB or lost your ball. Then it would automatically draw the lines and show you your relief area.

And to think . . . some people can't even imagine carrying a watch to time a ball search . . .

[Mr. Bean]

I am gradually getting a feeling that maybe some of the posters would be better off playing Golf Clash or similar...

[rogolf]

I am gradually getting a feeling that maybe some of the posters would be better off playing Golf Clash or similar...

Mini-golf, with the windmill and clown's nose.

[bladehunter]

I hope a phone app comes out where you can enter the course & hole you’re playing, links to Google maps for an aerial view, and let’s you tap the spot where you hit OB or lost your ball. Then it would automatically draw the lines and show you your relief area.

 

That's actually not a terrible idea.

 

I wonder though whether Google earth can detect fairway from rough though - can it be that specific ?

If they used the satellites that directs the black helicopters they could just pinpoint a laser down to show you where to drop. And another to zap you if you didn’t follow directions.

 

I hear PlayStation has some golf games online now for those wanting to play electronically.

[95124hacker]

May be playing in my club’s season opener this weekend. Forecast is rain, and we’ve already had a wet February. There’s a good chance we’ll plug a few drives and/or layup shots on par 5’s. Last year (same conditions), I lost 2-3 balls in the fairway. Under 2019 rules, if I take the S&D lost ball penalty IN THE FW, do I drop where I think the ball would’ve reasonably landed or do I go to the nearest FW edge + 2 club lengths?

[Augster]

May be playing in my club’s season opener this weekend. Forecast is rain, and we’ve already had a wet February. There’s a good chance we’ll plug a few drives and/or layup shots on par 5’s. Last year (same conditions), I lost 2-3 balls in the fairway. Under 2019 rules, if I take the S&D lost ball penalty IN THE FW, do I drop where I think the ball would’ve reasonably landed or do I go to the nearest FW edge + 2 club lengths?

 

IF the committee has enacted the local rule, E-5 tells us:

 

“This option allows the player to drop in a large area between the point where the ball is estimated to have come to rest or gone out of bounds and the edge of the fairway of the hole being played that is not nearer the hole.”

 

So your drop area when you lose a ball in the fairway would be from that estimated point, to the nearest edge of the fairway, no closer to the hole.

[95124hacker]

May be playing in my club’s season opener this weekend. Forecast is rain, and we’ve already had a wet February. There’s a good chance we’ll plug a few drives and/or layup shots on par 5’s. Last year (same conditions), I lost 2-3 balls in the fairway. Under 2019 rules, if I take the S&D lost ball penalty IN THE FW, do I drop where I think the ball would’ve reasonably landed or do I go to the nearest FW edge + 2 club lengths?

 

IF the committee has enacted the local rule, E-5 tells us:

 

“This option allows the player to drop in a large area between the point where the ball is estimated to have come to rest or gone out of bounds and the edge of the fairway of the hole being played that is not nearer the hole.”

 

So your drop area when you lose a ball in the fairway would be from that estimated point, to the nearest edge of the fairway, no closer to the hole.

 

Thanks. That’s what I thought but wasn’t sure. And this area of relief extends back in a triangle (one side through the estimated point of rest & other side through the FW edge, then add 2 club lengths to each side) as well, right? Yes, our club will employ the local rule for every tournament, to speed up play.

[Newby]

May be playing in my club's season opener this weekend. Forecast is rain, and we've already had a wet February. There's a good chance we'll plug a few drives and/or layup shots on par 5's. Last year (same conditions), I lost 2-3 balls in the fairway. Under 2019 rules, if I take the S&D lost ball penalty IN THE FW, do I drop where I think the ball would've reasonably landed or do I go to the nearest FW edge + 2 club lengths?

 

http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/rules-modernization/major-changes/golfs-new-rules-stroke-and-distance.html

 

[Halebopp]

Our club had a board meeting and I was there to talk about the rules changes. It was decided we won't be using the local rule in 2019. The biggest reason was that it moves the game away from the basic principle of hitting the ball and finding it until the ball is holed.

 

It was also considered it could get complicated for the average Joes when it isn't an option in certain cases and what happens when the ball is lost around the greens. The discussions of where the ball might be lost and the time spent figuring were seen as having a negative impact. The pace of play might also slow down due to people taking more risks by playing longer clubs off the tee, thus leading to longer waits on the tee for the fairway to clear and more searching for wayward shots.

[davep043]

Our club had a board meeting and I was there to talk about the rules changes. It was decided we won't be using the local rule in 2019. The biggest reason was that it moves the game away from the basic principle of hitting the ball and finding it until the ball is holed.

 

It was also considered it could get complicated for the average Joes when it isn't an option in certain cases and what happens when the ball is lost around the greens. The discussions of where the ball might be lost and the time spent figuring were seen as having a negative impact. The pace of play might also slow down due to people taking more risks by playing longer clubs off the tee, thus leading to longer waits on the tee for the fairway to clear and more searching for wayward shots.

Our club will be using the Local Rule. We should all report back after a few months of play.

[Sawgrass]

Our club had a board meeting and I was there to talk about the rules changes. It was decided we won't be using the local rule in 2019. The biggest reason was that it moves the game away from the basic principle of hitting the ball and finding it until the ball is holed.

 

It was also considered it could get complicated for the average Joes when it isn't an option in certain cases and what happens when the ball is lost around the greens. The discussions of where the ball might be lost and the time spent figuring were seen as having a negative impact. The pace of play might also slow down due to people taking more risks by playing longer clubs off the tee, thus leading to longer waits on the tee for the fairway to clear and more searching for wayward shots.

Our club will be using the Local Rule. We should all report back after a few months of play.

We are not using it either, and I'll be interested in learning how things went for you, Dave. My greatest concern in regard to all rules is to keep marginally-interested-in-the-rules players on the straight and narrow, and I feared that this fringe group wouldn't have the patience to actually learn the new LR.