Rabbit scrapes

Question
if a player is in rabbit scrapes and has a free drop, if his intended line of flight was also obstructed by a tree, bush or similar obstacle, is it acceptable to take relief which also gives him a clear shot ? Doesn't seem fair to me surely the new position after taking the drop should still be affected by the obstacle in the line of flight ?

Answer
Hi David,

I'm not familiar with the term "rabbit scrapes." Do you mean rabbit droppings? or burrows?

Animal droppings, or bird droppings, large or small, from such creatures like Canada Geese, or coyotes, are all loose impediments. That means that because they are natural and not artificial, you have to treat them the same as twigs, stones, fallen leaves, etc.

You do NOT get a free drop. Through the green, you may move or try to move them (hopefully, they are firm), but if your ball moves, it will cost you a penalty stroke under rule 18-2, and then you must replace the ball.

If you're ball is covered by the stuff, then this stuff now becomes part of the ball, and if you try to remove any of it, you will again be penalized under the same Rule for purposely touching your ball. Tough break.

Furthermore, if your ball lands in a pile of it, then this whole pile becomes part of the ball, parallel to the decision about a ball being embedded in an orange. That orange is now part of the ball, just as the pile of do-do and your options are now to either play the ball or take an unplayable lie.

Hope this helps.

Ken