One of the discussions centered around Decision 1-4/10, which involves a player’s options when his ball has come to rest on, in or near a “dangerous situation.”

Typically, “dangerous situations” that might be encountered on a golf course are poisonous snakes, such as rattlesnakes, water moccasins, coral snakes, etc. Other dangerous reptiles that one might encounter on a golf course might be alligators or gila monsters. Scorpions, fire ants and bees’ nests are also included as “dangerous situations”.

In a nutshell, the Decision allows a player free relief, substituting a ball for a ball that is near, in or on a dangerous situation and dropping it at the nearest point, no nearer the hole, where player feels at a comfortably safe distance from the situation. There are some restrictions, however. If a player is in a water hazard, he must drop the ball in the water hazard, unless he chooses to proceed under the water hazard rule and add a one-stroke penalty. And, if the ball is in a bunker, it must be dropped in the bunker or a nearby similar bunker. If the player is still uncomfortable remaining in the bunker, he can always drop the ball outside the bunker, keeping the spot where the original ball lay between him and the hole. But that will also cost him a stroke.

One of the instructors at our workshop brought up the fact that he’s deathly afraid of snakes. And so the question arose: “What if your ball is near a snake that is not poisonous, but you have a great fear of snakes?” He answered: “If you’re scared of snakes and your ball is near one, you can take relief as allowed in Decision 1-4/10.” Now, before you start compiling a list of all the creatures of which you have suddenly developed a new-found phobia, be aware that this only applies to creatures – usually reptiles – that elicit fear from otherwise normal people. Harmless insects, squirrels, birds, prairie dogs and other such creatures aren’t going to get you a free drop!

A reader who was attending the workshop approached me and asked a very interesting question. It referred to the courses that suffer from rather severe cases of goose droppings that the migrating geese leave as presents for the superintendents. He argued that goose droppings might carry avian flu, and that maybe we should be able to get relief under a “dangerous situation”. I was intrigued by the question and called USGA and asked them, but they said that since the condition would be so prevalent that to proceed under Decision 1-4/10 would not be workable. I guess they figure that what’s good for the goose is good for the golfer. Good question, though!

Decision 1-4/10 has a couple of corollary decisions: Decision 1-4/9 and Decision 1-4/11. Decision 1-4/9 refers to a situation where a player’s ball comes to rest so close to a bird’s nest – probably with eggs or chicks in it, but not necessarily – that to play the stroke might destroy or damage the nest and its residents. The USGA showed that it has a soft spot, and a player is allowed free relief from such a bird’s nest, proceeding in the same manner as in Decision 1-4/10. This is one situation where the USGA does not want you to get any birdies.

Decision 1-4/11 refers to a situation where a player’s ball ends up among potentially painful or dangerous vegetation, such as poison ivy, poison oak, nettles, or cacti. Does he get free relief if he finds himself in such a predicament? The USGA draws the line here with its sympathy for little birds and herpetophobic golfers. You don’t get free relief from vegetation, since vegetation is a natural part of the course, and is always there. You’ll have to declare your ball unplayable or else play it under those circumstances. Decision 1-4/11 is summed up with the words, “...Unpleasant lies are a common occurrence which players must accept.”

So, go ahead and live dangerously...but you don’t have to. Enjoy your summer!