[sigmapete1]

On this particular hole, there is a stream (lateral hazard) running the length of the hole on the left. Immediately outside the boundary of the hazard is 2 to 3 feet of rough, then the cart path which also runs the length of the hole down the left side. Then there is another 5 to 6 feet of rough before you get to the fairway.

I hooked a ball into the stream. When I dropped the ball (onto that 2 to 3 feet of rough between the hazard and the path) it rolled onto the cart path and across to the fairway side of the cart path (but still on the path). I dropped again and the exact same thing happened. I marked the spot where it hit the ground and placed the ball at that spot, deemed it to be in play and hit my approach. I had the hit the shot with the ball from a very awkward stance.

My questions
(1) Did I proceed within the rules? (I am pretty sure I did)
(2) Alternatively, could I have deemed the first drop to be in play, then take relief from the cart path (since it rolled to the other side, the nearest point of relief would have been in the rough between the path and the fairway). Being a righty and using the nearest point where I could get full relief, then taking a club length from there, I could have ended up dropping in the fairway. I did what I was pretty sure was appropriate but am wondering if I could have used the rules a little bit more to my favor.

[kevcarter]

Pete,

You do not re-drop when taking relief from a hazard, and subseqjuently the ball rolls onto an obstruction, unless the ball rolled more than 2 club lengths from where it hit the ground. If it did not roll more than 2 club lengths, you proceed to the next step which is taking relief from the obstruction. Your procedure under #2 was the proper way to continue.

Kevin

[larrybud]

There's a similar ruling that I posted this past year. Very similar to your situation, except the hazard line was on the right along with the path.

The question that I had (and the USGA answered) was that since two club lengths didn't take me over the path (I'm a righty), and if I drop in the small grass area it would cause me to stand on the path, where's the proper drop?

Proper drop is in the grassy area between the path and hazard line, THEN take relief from the path.

[paulyb]

Not a big fan of this "design" feature. My course has plenty of Lateral Hazard right next to cart paths. Some don't have more than a foot or two between the boundary and the path.

[sigmapete1]

KevCarter, on Oct 16 2008, 03:23 PM, said:

Pete,

You do not re-drop when taking relief from a hazard, and subseqjuently the ball rolls onto an obstruction, unless the ball rolled more than 2 club lengths from where it hit the ground. If it did not roll more than 2 club lengths, you proceed to the next step which is taking relief from the obstruction. Your procedure under #2 was the proper way to continue.

Kevin

Oh great so I made it harder on myself AND broke the rules. Haha! Thanks for the feedback though, that's good to know.

[sigmapete1]

As a follow up question...

Since the cart path was within the 2 club lengths from the hazard, can I drop directly onto the path itself or do I have to drop on the grass area between?

[kevcarter]

sigmapete1, on Oct 17 2008, 12:49 PM, said:

As a follow up question...

Since the cart path was within the 2 club lengths from the hazard, can I drop directly onto the path itself or do I have to drop on the grass area between?

You may drop on the path.

KC