Embedded Ball On Upslope Of Rough Just Above A Bunker

[EmperorPenguin]

If a ball plugs above a bunker in a position that dropping anywhere no closer to the hole will fall into the bunker, under the new embedded-ball Rule must he drop it and let it fall in, or may he place it?

[Newby]

26 minutes ago, EmperorPenguin said:

If a ball plugs above a bunker in a position that dropping anywhere no closer to the hole will fall into the bunker, under the new embedded-ball Rule must he drop it and let it fall in, or may he place it?

Two attempts at the drop and then place.

[davep043]

12 hours ago, Newby said:

Two attempts at the drop and then place.

And if it won't stay when placed, find the nearest place in the General Area where the ball will remain at rest and place it there.  That spot can be outside the original Relief Area.  There is a really rare situation where both the Reference Point (immediately behind the ball) and the entire Relief Area is in the bunker, so no Relief is available, the only option is to take Unplayable Ball (penalty) relief.  But only for the next month, the 2023 Rules will eliminate that possibility.

[dugue4]

On 11/20/2022 at 4:39 PM, davep043 said:

the only option is to take Unplayable Ball (penalty) relief.  But only for the next month, the 2023 Rules will eliminate that possibility.

Why would you not be able to take an unplayable?  I’ve just seen the list of changes for 2023, not the entire rule book yet. 

[rogolf]

40 minutes ago, dugue4 said:

Why would you not be able to take an unplayable?  I’ve just seen the list of changes for 2023, not the entire rule book yet. 

No prohibition on taking an unplayable but the 2023 Rules allow more leeway in taking free relief. 

[antip]

3 hours ago, dugue4 said:

Why would you not be able to take an unplayable?  I’ve just seen the list of changes for 2023, not the entire rule book yet. 

That is a misunderstanding of Dave's post. He's only saying the current possible no free relief for ball embedded right on the edge of a bunker ceases from January. Unplayable ball rules are unchanged.

[davep043]

8 hours ago, dugue4 said:

Why would you not be able to take an unplayable?  I’ve just seen the list of changes for 2023, not the entire rule book yet. 

The other guys clarified it before I could.  Currently, a Clarification to 16.3b outlines a very specific circumstance where neither the Reference Point (defined as directly behind the ball) nor and part of the Relief Area lies in the General Area, in which case FREE relief for the embedded ball isn't available.  In the 2023 rules, Clarification 16.3b/1 will allow the Reference Point to be located at the nearest point in the General Area, so that relief is always available for an embedded ball.

[EmperorPenguin]

I miss the old Rule which only allowed the free drop from "closely-mowed" area, meaning fairway height or less.  "That's not fair!" people protest.  Well hit the ball in the fairway, chump!

[Mr. Bean]

24 minutes ago, EmperorPenguin said:

I miss the old Rule which only allowed the free drop from "closely-mowed" area, meaning fairway height or less.  "That's not fair!" people protest.  Well hit the ball in the fairway, chump!

 

I used to think that way too but have changed my view.

 

The way I see it is that rough should be hard enough not to make it possible for a ball to embed. If this is not the case then free relief for an embedded ball is justified. After all, missing the fairway by mere inches should not punish you with an unplayable ball and a penalty stroke as the longer grass in rough already makes the next stroke more demanding.