News from the Match Committee.
Grass cuttings and dirt and green corings are ground under repair only if they have been piled for removal – see Definition of “Ground Under Repair”. Once they are spread they are an integral part of the course. If cuttings, dirt and corings have been piled for removal and interfere with a player’s stance or swing, the player is entitled to relief under Rule 25-1b.
Loose Impediments” may be removed by the player – Rule 23-1 – without penalty provided the ball does not move in the process.
This is especially the case on the areas of the course where the tree stumps have been removed and the holes filled with dirt. The ‘tornado’ damaged trees are still to be treated as GUR.
This ruling is to apply from Monday 4th of November 2013 until further notice.
David Ransom
Captain
Jamberoo Golf Club
In the first paragraph you state that once spread grass cuttings, dirt and co rings are an integral part of the course. The second paragraph then says they are loose impediments, by definition soil is not a loose impediment except on the green. Could you please clarify this for me?
Thanks Jim for your enquiry. Congratulations on winning the C grade club championship and I hope that you are available to represent the club in the Golf Illawarra champion of champions at the Highlands Golf Club on December 8. Now in reply to your question, and knowing of your strong rules background at the old Shellharbour course, It seems to me that the grass cuttings, pebbles etc that are not attached to the ground are in fact loose. Hence they can be moved according to rule 23.1 provided that the ball is not moved in the process which of course would then mean a penalty. I will continue this discussion in another post. BTW we are looking for new members for the match committee. Maybe you should apply. You would be welcome.