In last week PGA Tour Tournament, The Travelers, Phil Mickelson benefited from a rules unknown to him.
WATCH THE VIDEO and find the white line:
Phil Mickelson is 50 and still learning some of the more intricate rules of the game.
This clutch par save on No. 17 helped him reach the clubhouse with the lead. pic.twitter.com/CNi6c0kpFT
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 27, 2020
Normally, under the Rules, and looking at his ball’s position, Phil should take relief from the immovable obstruction (cart path) and after he would have taken relief from the ground under repair.
Most of the tours have the following annual local rule:
Immovable Obstructions – White-lined areas of ground under repair and the artificially surfaced road or path or other identified obstruction they tie into are treated as a single abnormal course condition when taking relief under Rule 16.1.
Because of that local rule, only one step is needed in order to take relief at the same time for the cart path and the ground under repair.
Our job as referees is not only being around when players need us during the tournament, but we must also take a few days before the tournament to look at all the areas where a ball may land. And see if we will encounter any issue.
When we mark a golf course, we must never tell ourselves that A BALL WILL NEVER COME HERE….my experience taught me that a small white ball may end up anywhere and we must be prepared.