The CSGA Links Vol 6 Issue 3 July, 2018 | Page 33

W hite out-of-bounds stakes, yellow water-hazard stakes, red lateral-water-hazard stakes, 150-yard stakes, traffic-control stakes—there are hundreds of them out there—are not all treated the same way by the Rules of Golf. It’s no wonder they cause confusion. Let’s clear it up. May I move a stake? Sometimes. In general, you may not move a white (out-of-bounds) stake but you may move a red (lateral water hazard) or yellow (water hazard) stake. A stake is an artificial object, and as such it is generally considered an obstruction in terms of the Definitions on the Rules of Golf. But the definition of obstruction makes a point of excluding “objects defining out-of-bounds,” so those O.B. stakes do not qualify for typical obstruction relief under Rule 24, and Rule 13-2 tells us explicitly that you may not move them. Another consideration with any other type of stake is: Can it be moved without un- reasonable effort, without unduly delaying play and without causing damage? If the answer to all these questions is “yes,” then the stake is a movable obstruction. If instead the stake is, let’s say, cemented into place, then it’s an immovable obstruction. Rule 24-1 tells us we may remove movable obstructions, so we may move these stakes at will—whether or not our ball lies in a hazard. We may not move immovable obstructions. However, we may move our ball if there’s stance, lie or swing interference providing our ball is not in a lateral hazard or water hazard. If it’s in one of these hazards, there’s no free relief. Almost all stakes are movable, though, so that’s not often a problem. What exactly does that stake do? Red and yellow stakes indicate the presence of lateral water hazards and water hazards respectively. If there is a red or yellow line painted on the ground next to these stakes, the line takes precedence over the stake and defines the boundary of the hazard. (The line itself is part of the hazard). If there is no line present, then the stakes define the edge of the hazard—the stake itself is in the hazard—and if the stake is not perfectly vertical the hazard margin extends verti- cally upwards and downwards from the outside edge of the stake at ground level. White stakes are used to indicate out-of-bounds. As with water hazards, if there is also a white line present the line takes precedence over the stake in terms of defining the O.B. edge. If there’s no line, the stake itself is O.B. and the inside edge of the stake at ground level, extending vertically upwards and downwards, precisely defines the edge of the O.B. May I ever ignore an O.B. stake? Some courses have interior out-of-bounds, usually for safety purposes. Often the interi- or O.B. applies to one hole and not the adjacent hole. If a stake has no significance for the hole you’re playing, may you remove it if it interferes with your play? No. Decision 24/5 reminds us that O.B. stakes are not obstructions and may not be moved in any circumstance—but it does leave room open for a Local Rule allowing relief. If you’re not able to move the O.B. stake, you may at least move your ball if the stake interferes with your stance, lie or swing. Suppose I move an O.B. stake incidentally? Most of the time when you move an immovable obstruction to improve your situation, you instantly violate Rule 13-2, whether or not you put it back before making your stoke. Same is true for an O.B. stake as Decision 13-2/25 makes abundantly clear. But there is a small win- dow for escape. Rule 13-2 provides an exception if you incidentally move an O.B. stake while “fairly taking your stance.” Decision 13-2/1.1 allows that if we replace the stake prior to making our stroke, we’re good to go. This is complicated, but worth learning. The principles will remain the same next year- when the big rule changes come into effect. www.csgalinks.org CSGA Links // July 2018 33