Real-Life Communication
Your golfer has just hit a long drive off the tee that veers sharply
to the right and into the trees. It doesn't look good. You walk up the
course with your player and discuss possible outcomes of the shot.
As
you approach, you spot the ball nestled into a small neatly stacked pile of
sticks. It looks odd, and it would be impossible for your golfer to play.
He will have to move the ball to make a shot. But are there any rules that
apply to this situation so that he won't have to take a penalty stroke
for moving the ball?
"Communication skills are the most important part
of caddying," says Amy Lillibridge, a caddy who has worked on the LPGA tour.
"You must be able to serve as mathematician, psychologist, cheerleader and
a friend all at the same time.
"Sometimes things must be said that could
either cost your job or bring great success," she adds. "You must be willing
and secure enough to take these risks to help the team."
Your player
leans over and says to you:
"I think there might be a rule that applies
to this situation. What do you think? I mean, it's definitely an abnormal
ground condition. I don't think it's anything to do with a burrowing
animal and it's not casual water, but I do think it could qualify as
ground under repair.
"Do you think I should be able to put this ball
at the nearest point of relief without penalty? Could you get the marshal
so we can get him to rule on this?"
Oh boy, you'd better know what
your golfer is talking about so you can be of some assistance in this decision!
As
you walk over to flag the marshal, you go over some of the rules in your head:
Abnormal
ground condition usually refers to any ground that is not usual on the golf
course. It could be anything from water that is not a feature of the course,
holes and piles of dirt made by animals or it could be ground under repair.
Casual
water is any water on the course that is there only temporarily. Things such
as snow and ice qualify; however, dew and frost do not count.
Ground
under repair includes any part of the course that is amidst repair, such as
holes made by ground crews or leaves and stick piles that are marked to be
removed from the course. This doesn't include grass clippings that are
not going to be removed from the course, but it may include environmentally
sensitive areas.
The nearest point of relief is the point on the course,
closest to the ball, where the shot can be played without obstruction. The
player should measure this distance using the club he intends to use for the
shot. The ball can't be moved closer to the hole.
Would
you know the answers to these questions?
- What is ground under repair?
- You remember that ground under repair doesn't include lawn clippings
not scheduled for removal. Does ground under repair include sticks piled for
removal?
- What does nearest point of relief mean?
- What club can the player use to measure out to his nearest point of relief?