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14 October 2008
Risk death?
comments: 1
One of the Mole’s furry friends was playing at Pinnacle Point when the following situation occurred. His ball ended up in a bunker, resting within a metre of a warm hungry Puff Adder.
What to do?
Nothing, it is an immovable obstruction, so play it as it lies. (Risk death?)
A free drop as near as is safely possible to the original position, but remaining in the hazard.
A free drop outside of the hazard.
Wait until the snake has moved on.
Play the shot and then change your shorts.
Ask your caddie to play the shot for you.
The correct answer is, of course, 2. According to Decisions on the Rules of Golf 2008-2009, Rule 1-4/10 states that if a ball comes to rest in a dangerous situation such as next to a live rattlesnake (in this case a big, angry puff adder), the player is entitled to a free drop in the same hazard, or if not possible then in a similar hazard.
In both cases the ball may not be dropped closer to the hole. If this is impossible, the player may drop outside of the hazard with a one-shot penalty, keeping the point where the original ball lay between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped.
comments: 1
