Rule 24. Obstructions
Definitions
All defined terms are in italics and are listed alphabetically in
the Definitions section — see pages 5-18.
24-1. Movable Obstruction
A player may take relief, without penalty, from a movable
obstruction as follows:
a. If the ball does not lie in or on the obstruction, the
obstruction may be removed. If the ball moves, it must
be replaced, and there is no penalty, provided that the
movement of the ball is directly attributable to the
removal of the obstruction. Otherwise, Rule 18-2a applies.
b. If the ball lies in or on the obstruction, the ball may be
lifted and the obstruction removed. The ball must through
the green or in a hazard be dropped, or on the putting green
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be placed, as near as possible to the spot directly under
the place where the ball lay in or on the obstruction, but
not nearer the hole.
The ball may be cleaned when lifted under this Rule.
When a ball is in motion, an obstruction that might influence
the movement of the ball, other than equipment of any player
or the flagstick when attended, removed or held up, must not
be moved.
(Exerting influence on ball — see Rule 1-2.)
Note: If a ball to be dropped or placed under this Rule is not
immediately recoverable, another ball may be substituted.
24-2. Immovable Obstruction
g a. Interference
Interference by an immovable obstruction occurs when a ball lies
in or on the obstruction, or when the obstruction interferes with
the player’s stance or the area of his intended swing. If the player’s
ball lies on the putting green, interference also occurs if an
immovable obstruction on the putting green intervenes on his line
of putt. Otherwise, intervention on the line of play is not, of itself,
interference under this Rule.
g b. Relief
Except when the ball is in a water hazard or a lateral water hazard,
a player may take relief from interference by an immovable
obstruction as follows:
(i) 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. When the ball
is dropped within one club-length of the nearest point of
relief, the ball must first strike a part of the course at a
spot that avoids interference by the immovable obstruction
and is not in a hazard and not on a putting green.
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(ii) In a Bunker: If the ball is in a bunker, the player must
lift the ball and drop it either:
(a) Without penalty, in accordance with Clause (i) above,
except that the nearest point of relief must be in the bunker
and the ball must be dropped in the bunker; or
(b) Under penalty of one stroke, outside the bunker keeping
the point where the ball lay directly between the
hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with
no limit to how far behind the bunker the ball may
be dropped.
(iii) On the Putting Green: If the ball lies on the putting
green, the player must lift the ball and place it, without
penalty, at the nearest point of relief that is not in a hazard.
The nearest point of relief may be off the putting green.
(iv) On the Teeing Ground: If the ball lies on the teeing
ground, the player must lift the ball and drop it, without
penalty, in accordance with Clause (i) above.
The ball may be cleaned when lifted under this Rule.
(Ball rolling to a position where there is interference by the
condition from which relief was taken — see Rule 20-2c(v).)
Exception: A player may not take relief under this Rule if
(a) it is clearly unreasonable for him to make a stroke because
of interference by anything other than an immovable obstruction
or (b) interference by an immovable obstruction would
occur only through use of an unnecessarily abnormal stance,
swing or direction of play.
Note 1: If a ball is in a water hazard (including a lateral water
hazard), the player may not take relief from interference by an
immovable obstruction. The player must play the ball as it lies
or proceed under Rule 26-1.
Note 2: If a ball to be dropped or placed under this Rule is not
immediately recoverable, another ball may be substituted.
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.
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24-3. Ball in Obstruction Not Found
It is a question of fact whether a ball that has not been found
after having been struck toward an obstruction is in the obstruction.
In order to apply this Rule, it must be known or virtually
certain that the ball is in the obstruction. In the absence of
such knowledge or certainty, the player must proceed under
Rule 27-1.
g a. Ball in Movable Obstruction Not Found
If it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been
found is in a movable obstruction, the player may substitute
another ball and take relief without penalty under this Rule. If
he elects to do so, he must remove the obstruction and through
the green or in a hazard drop a ball, or on the putting green place
a ball, as near as possible to the spot directly under the place
where the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the movable
obstruction, but not nearer the hole.
g b. Ball in Immovable Obstruction Not Found
If it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not
been found is in an immovable obstruction, the player may
take relief under this Rule. If he elects to do so, the spot
where the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the
obstruction must be determined and, for the purpose of applying
this Rule, the ball is deemed to lie at this spot and the
player must proceed as follows:
(i) Through the Green: If the ball last crossed the outermost
limits of the immovable obstruction at a spot through the
green, the player may substitute another ball, without
penalty, and take relief as prescribed in Rule 24-2b(i).
(ii) In a Bunker: If the ball last crossed the outermost limits
of the immovable obstruction at a spot in a bunker, the
player may substitute another ball, without penalty, and
take relief as prescribed in Rule 24-2b(ii).
(iii) In a Water Hazard (including a Lateral Water Hazard): If
the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the immovable
obstruction at a spot in a water hazard, the player is
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not entitled to relief without penalty. The player must
proceed under Rule 26-1.
(iv) On the Putting Green: If the ball last crossed the outermost
limits of the immovable obstruction at a spot on
the putting green, the player may substitute another ball,
without penalty, and take relief as prescribed in Rule
24-2b(iii).
Penalty for Breach of Rule :
Match play — Loss of hole; Stroke play — Two strokes.
