This is a legal drop and legal play according to the USGA. We double checked with the golf rules pros at the USGA and even sent this video into them. Remember this one next time you are in this situation.
Look, we know this golf rule looks crazy but sometimes you are forced to take a shot from the other side of the ball. If you are standing on a cart path, you should get relief. Once you drop it, well, hit it right handed.
There are times in golf where taking free relief can give you a better lie, a better stance and even a better angle to the green. Don’t fight the rules of golf!
Here’s the official USGA language:
16.1 Abnormal Course Conditions (Including Immovable Obstructions)
This Rule covers free relief that is allowed from interference by animal holes, ground under repair, immovable obstructions or temporary water:
These are collectively called abnormal course conditions, but each has a separate Definition.
This Rule does not give relief from movable obstructions (a different type of free relief is allowed under Rule 15.2a) or boundary objects or integral objects (no free relief is allowed).
Furthermore the USGA interpretations say the following:
16.1a(3)/1 – Obstruction Interfering with Abnormal Stroke May Not Preclude Player From Taking Relief
In some situations a player may have to adopt an abnormal swing, stance or direction of play in playing his or her ball to accommodate a given situation. If the abnormal stroke is not clearly unreasonable given the circumstances, the player is permitted to take free relief under Rule 16.1.
For example, in the general area, a right-handed player’s ball is so close to a boundary object on the left side of a hole that he or she must make a left-handed swing to play towards the hole. In making the left-handed swing, the player’s stance is interfered with by an immovable obstruction.
The player is allowed relief from the immovable obstruction since use of a left-handed swing is not clearly unreasonable in the circumstances.
After the relief procedure for the left-handed swing is complete, the player may then use a normal right-handed swing for the next stroke. If the obstruction interferes with the right-handed swing, the player may take relief for the right-handed swing under Rule 16.1b or play the ball as it lies.
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3 Comments
Still have to hit it lefty, I think
Not on cart path when addressing the ball. Was on path during practice swing so no relief.
Just move the ball you jack wagon