Decorative Posts Around the Course
The status of the decorative posts found around teeing grounds, or used to border pathways on certain holes, is as follows.
These posts, together with any attached materials such as rope, are to be treated as immovable obstructions. As their removal would require unreasonable effort or risk damaging either the object or the course, they meet the Definition of an immovable obstruction under the Rules of Golf.
Depending on the situation, two Rules of Golf may be relevant: Rule 6 (Teeing Area) and Rule 16 (Relief from Abnormal Course Conditions).
Teeing Area (Rule 6)
For the purposes of this Local Rule:
Definitions:
Teeing Area
The area that the player must play from in starting the hole
The teeing area for the hole being played is the rectangular space between the tee markers and extending two club‑lengths back. Only this defined rectangle has the special permissions of Rule 6.
Teeing Surface
The teeing surface is the entire prepared teeing complex for that hole, including all sets of tee markers. Any part of this surface outside your own teeing area is treated as general area.
If the posts interfere with a player’s area of intended stance or area of intended swing while playing from the teeing area of the hole being played the player may:
- Reposition anywhere within the teeing area, not teeing surface, and
- Tee the ball in a different location No penalty applies.
No formal relief procedure is needed, as the player is entitled to use any part of the teeing area.
- General Area (Rule 16)
All other parts of the course — including any part of the teeing surface that lies outside the teeing area for the hole being played, together with all remaining locations except penalty areas — are treated as part of the general area. In these locations, Rule 16 (Relief from Abnormal Course Conditions) applies.
When Relief Is Allowed
Free relief is available when the immovable obstruction interferes with:
- The lie of the ball
- The player’s area of intended stance
- The player’s area of intended swing
Relief is not available for interference on the line of play alone (except on the putting green).
Relief Procedure
If relief is available in the general area and the player elects not to play the ball as it lies, the player must start as follows:
Step 1 – Identify the Nearest Point of Complete Relief (NPCR)
Decide the nearest point where:
- There is no interference from the obstruction for lie, stance, or swing
- The point is not nearer the hole
- This point must be within the general area
Rule 16.1a: When relief is allowed for abnormal course condition
(Immovable Obstruction).
Step 2 – Define the Relief Area The relief area is:
- Within one club-length of the NPCR
- Not nearer the hole
- Entirely within the general area
Step 3 – Drop the Ball
The ball must be dropped in the relief area and must:
- First strike the ground within that area
- Come to rest within the same area
THE NEAREST POINT OF COMPLETE RELIEF MAY RESULT IN A LESS FAVOURABLE LIE (FOR
EXAMPLE, IN ROUGH RATHER THAN FAIRWAY, OR ON AN ADJACENT PATH). RELIEF MUST BE TAKEN FROM THE NEAREST POINT OF COMPLETE RELIEF, EVEN IF FURTHER RELIEF MAY, THEN BE AVAILABLE. A PLAYER MAY NOT CHOOSE A MORE FAVOURABLE RELIEF POINT.
- If interference exists from another obstruction after dropping, the Rule may be applied again
- If the ball lies in another part of the course:
- Bunker: Relief must remain in the bunker (unless penalty relief is taken outside)
- Putting green: Ball is placed at the nearest point of complete relief
- Penalty Area: No free relief is available for a ball in a penalty area. The player may proceed only under the penalty-area relief options in Rule 17.1, with a one-stroke penalty.