Today, I had an errant shot come to rest against a brick retaining wall that held up the tee box to the adjacent hole. My understanding is that this is an immovable obstruction from which I am entitled relief. However, the only real viable location to take relief was up on top of the tee box (it was, at least, the closest possible relief. Taking relief elsewhere would have been at least 10 yards away). While there was a good sized patch of rough up there, I felt like the added elevation (about three feet) gave me a favorable location from which to play my ensuing shot. Did I make the correct decision by playing my shot from up there?

Without being there it is hard to give a definitive opinion. However, if the point of nearest relief, no nearer the hole, on a green or within a hazard, is on the tee box, then drop on the tee box. Find the nearest point and then within a club length of that point.

So, yes, I believe you made the proper drop.

I'm with BK on this one. You can drop anywhere except a marked hazard i think.

The thing is - what do you mean by a "viable location" for relief? Remember, you're taking relief for the obstruction, not relief to get a good swing. So, say there's the tee box and wall and that is surrounded by bushes or landscaping trees and it comes to rest by the wall. You may have to drop in the trees to get the nearest point of relief. which would really stink in that case, but you'd be entitled to relief from the obstruction, not the stuff around it too.

Even if the point of relief from the wall means you drop near a cart path and would be standing on the path, you should take relief from the wall, then relief from the path in a separate motion.

birdieXris wrote:

I'm with BK on this one. You can drop anywhere except a marked hazard i think.

It doesn't need to be marked, dropping in a bunker is not permissible either (assuming the ball is not in the bunker itself).

You do not get relief from an immovable obstruction when in a water hazard, ever.

Find the NPR, if it is not playable from there, too bad - you won't get relief in that case. Use the club that you would've used if the obstruction was not there to find the right spot to drop.

This is a seriously complex rule, I would advice anyone to read up on it (24-2). There are so many situations that are different from the basic rule. Read the rule carefully, especially read the exceptions and notes. For fun, if you're into that kind of thing, just look at the decisions once too. And do know the definition of "through the green", it is one of if not the one rule that is broken the most.

jev wrote:

birdieXris wrote: I'm with BK on this one. You can drop anywhere except a marked hazard i think. It doesn't need to be marked, dropping in a bunker is not permissible either (assuming the ball is not in the bunker itself). You do not get relief from an immovable obstruction when in a water hazard, ever. Find the NPR, if it is not playable from there, too bad - you won't get relief in that case. Use the club that you would've used if the obstruction was not there to find the right spot to drop. This is a seriously complex rule, I would advice anyone to read up on it (24-2). There are so many situations that are different from the basic rule. Read the rule carefully, especially read the exceptions and notes. For fun, if you're into that kind of thing, just look at the decisions once too. And do know the definition of "through the green", it is one of if not the one rule that is broken the most.

oops yep, you're right. no dropping in hazards of any kind.