Power Lines and Interference, No Local Rule Options

[DaveLeeNC]

I hit a crappy drive today and got a good break. I was just outside a water hazard and had a clear path to the pin between trees (WAY better than I deserved). There was a telephone pole that was slightly interfering with my shot to the pin and the phone/power lines associated with this pole were also potentially interfering with my shot.

I had a most unusual angle to the green and these wires and poles were pretty much out of play other than for the small area where my crappy drive ended.

From what I can determine you have the option to replay the shot if your ball hits the powerlines IF there is a local rule in place in that particular place (no local rule as far as I can tell).

But what about the telephone pole. I'm not sure exactly how close to your intended line is required for interference and I ultimately decided to play a safer shot regardless. But is a telephone pole an immovable obstruction (would seem to be). And am I correct in my reading that powerLINE interference only applies with a local rule and takes the form of rreplaying the shot in the case of actual interference?

Thanks.

dave

[funkyfedora]

From what I can tell, its only if it interferes with the swing. I would check on the local ruling though. Most places with power lines have local rulings...

If an immovable obstruction interferes with your stance or swing, you may, except when your ball is in a water hazard, drop within one club-length of the nearest point of relief not nearer the hole. In a bunker drop in the bunker, and on the putting green place in the nearest position which affords relief, not nearer the hole. There is no relief for intervention on your line of play unless your ball and the obstruction are on the green. (24-2)

[DaveLeeNC]

From what I can tell, its only if it interferes with the swing. I would check on the local ruling though. Most places with power lines have local rulings...

If an immovable obstruction interferes with your stance or swing, you may, except when your ball is in a water hazard, drop within one club-length of the nearest point of relief not nearer the hole. In a bunker drop in the bunker, and on the putting green place in the nearest position which affords relief, not nearer the hole. There is no relief for intervention on your line of play unless your ball and the obstruction are on the green. (24-2)

Now that I read more carefully, I believe that you are correct.

You get so accustomed to seeing "line of sight relief" being routinely granted on the PGA Tour (grandstands, signage, consession tents, etc) it is easy to believe that "this is automatic". Without a local rule or (possibly) something created by the tournament committee, there is no automatic line of sight relief from what I can see (as you stated).

dave

[golfismygame]

Line of sight relief can be only be granted by Local Rule for for temporary immovable obstructions.

No Local Rule can be made to give line of sight relief for a permanent obstruction like a telephone pole.