How it can help save you during fall golf

The following scene happens every October. 

The names may or may not be changed in order to protect the individuals.

Nick P., after a majestic drive into the fairway: “I swear I hit my ball straight. Or straight-ish. But I can’t find it because of all these leaves.”

Friend of Nick P.: “Yeah, I was stunned that you hit it straight.”

Nick P.: [Frowns. Murmurs. Reconsiders friendship with his friend.]

Friend of Nick P.: “But I can help you look for it.”

[They search for three minutes. They come up empty.]

Nick P.: “Hmm, nothing. But the ‘leaf rule’ is in play here. I’m gonna take advantage of it.”

Friend of Nick P. “What’s the leaf rule???”

Good question, friend. We can help. In golf’s rule book, it is actually Model Local Rule F-14, named “Accumulations of Loose Impediments,” and it is written this way:

“During play of the [specify hole number], any ground with temporary accumulations of [identify types of loose impediments ] in the general area or in a bunker is treated as ground under repair from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1.”

The rule book also explains the rule’s “purpose,” and it does so this way:

“At certain times of the year, piles of loose impediments such as leaves, seeds or acorns may make it difficult for a player to find or play his or her ball. A Committee can choose to treat such piles of loose impediments in the general area or in a bunker as ground under repair from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1.

“This Local Rule may not be used for penalty areas as relief is not available for abnormal course conditions in penalty areas.

“The Local Rule should be limited to the hole(s) where problems are created by such loose impediments and should be withdrawn as soon as conditions allow.”

In short, the rule essentially means you get a penalty-free drop when you can’t find your ball, you’re certain it’s in bounds, and it may, for example, be under a pile of leaves. And if the rule isn’t put in effect by the golf course or tournament committee? If you can’t find your ball in three minutes or less, it’s considered lost — and you have to re-hit, along with taking a penalty stroke.  

Back to our conversation above then. 

Nick P.: “All right, I’m going to take my drop here.”

[Nick P. proceeds to top his ball.]

Friend of Nick P., laughing: “Is there a rule for that?”

Nick P.: [Again frowns. Again murmurs. Again reconsiders friendship with his friend.]

Notably, there are a few other items to remember for the fall, and we’ll review them with a short Q&A. 

Can you move leaves?

Yes, and you can do so anywhere on the golf course, including in a bunker or penalty area — but if your ball moves while doing so, that’s a one-stroke penalty and you must put the ball back (unless it moves on the putting green; then you can just put the ball back and play on without penalty). 

Do you get relief from aeration holes?

No — unless Model Local Rule E-4 is in play. That rule states: “If a player’s ball lies in or touches an aeration hole: (a) Ball in General Area. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b. If the ball comes to rest in another aeration hole, the player may take relief again under this Local Rule. (b) Ball on Putting Green. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1d. But interference does not exist if the aeration hole only interferes with the player’s stance or area of intended swing or, on the putting green, on the player’s line of play.”

Do you get relief from fall maintenance projects?

Yes. According to a story written by Danny Vohden for the USGA’s website, “any holes or trenches created by the maintenance staff during those types of projects are considered ‘ground under repair,’ and you’re entitled to free relief.”

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