I am sure that every golfer has hit a ball in area of the course where it is very difficult to take a stance. What does the Rules of golf say about “Fairly Taking a Stance?”
Rule 8.1b/2 – Examples of “Fairly Taking a Stance”
Although a player is allowed to play in any direction, they are not entitled to a normal stance or swing and must adapt to the situation and use the least intrusive course of action.
Examples of actions that are considered “Fairly Taking a Stance” and are allowed under Rule 8.1b, even if the action results in an improvement, include:
• Backing into a branch or a boundary object when that is the only way to take a stance for the selected stroke, even if this moves the branch or boundary object out of the way or causes it to bend or break.
• Bending a branch with the hands to get under a tree to play a ball when that is the only way to get under the tree to take a stance.
Rule 8.1b/3 – Examples of Not “Fairly Taking a Stance”
Examples of actions that are not considered “Fairly Taking a Stance,” and will result in a penalty under Rule 8.1a if they improve the conditions affecting the stroke include:
• Deliberately moving, bending or breaking branches with a hand, a leg or the body to get them out of the way of the backswing or stroke.
• Standing on tall grass or weeds in a way that pushes them down and to the side so that they are out of the way of the area of intended stance or swing, when a stance could have been taken without doing so.
• Hooking one branch on another or braiding two weeds to keep them away from the stance or swing.
• Using a hand to bend a branch that obscures the view of the ball after taking stance.
• Bending an interfering branch in taking a stance when a stance could have been taken without doing so.
Penalty for Breach of Rule 8.1a: General Penalty Two Strokes
Here is this month’s golf etiquette tip: Range balls are only allowed on the driving range and practice chipping green. Do not take the range balls to the golf course.
