Rules Guy: A bounce off the OB stake kept my ball in play. Is that legal?

The Rules of Golf can be tricky, but thankfully, there’s the Rules Guy to help navigate its complexities. This time, he addresses a query from 12-year-old Michael Stover, a situation that could potentially arise for any golfer encountering an unpredictable bounce.

Question from Michael Stover, age 12: “If my ball hits the out-of-bounds marker, which blocks it from going out of bounds, does that count as going out of bounds? Thank you!”

Rules Guy’s Answer: “Hello, Michael! It’s nice to know that Rules Guy has some young readers — and maybe someone to take over the column from him when he retires. While golf can be a harsh game at times, it’s not that harsh. The Rules of Golf aren’t opposed to good luck when it comes, and if a boundary object such as a stake prevents your ball from going OB and instead keeps it in play, then your ball is just that — in play. Rule 18.2 says that the entire ball must come to rest out of bounds to be OB, and the Rules don’t care what the ball may have accidentally hit on the way to staying in bounds. Thank the golf gods for your good fortune and happily move along. Here’s hoping that fortune follows you throughout your journey in the sport.”

Extended Interpretation of Rules and Other Questions:

The scenario Michael describes is a classic example of how luck can favor a player. Rule 18.2 clearly defines that for a ball to be considered “out of bounds” (OB), it must completely cross the boundary line and come to rest outside of it. Any objects situated on the boundary itself or immediately in front of it, such as stakes, fences, walls, or even other players, do not affect the ball’s status if it remains in play after making contact with them. Therefore, a bounce off an OB stake that returns the ball to the fairway or another playable area is perfectly legal, and the ball remains in play.

In-Course Out-of-Bounds (OB) and Its Definition

The Rules Guy column also addresses a more complex issue related to in-course OB, which is used to protect players on adjacent fairways. This question was posed by Tim Slauter from West Lafayette, Indiana:

“Our course has an in-course OB to protect players on an adjacent fairway. About 240 yards out, in said fairway, is the last OB stake. Our pro says the OB extends on a line parallel to the last two OB stakes ‘indefinitely.’ I say OB ends at the last stake. Who’s correct?”

Rules Guy’s Answer: “The answer should be specified by the local rule that creates the boundary; if not, the pro, as the de facto committee, is the decider. Important to note: Boundaries and markings don’t just ‘stop,’ and when a marking ‘ends,’ typically it is by either tying into another marking or is extended to infinity. Your pro appears to be alluding to the latter, which is generally indicated by a ‘double-stake’ marking, with two stakes placed within a yard of each other. As to what the marking should be, that depends upon the nature of this internal OB and the geography — and is above our pay grade.”

Clarification on In-Course OB:

In-course OB boundaries are established to enhance safety and improve play on courses where fairways are situated close to each other. The Rules of Golf permit committees or course management to implement such boundaries. The key is clear demarcation. Generally, if OB continues “indefinitely” along a line, it means the line formed by the last two stakes extends in the same direction until it meets another course boundary (e.g., a fence, wall, another playing area) or leads into an unplayable zone (e.g., woods, water hazard, off-course property).

A “double-stake” marking (two stakes within a yard of each other) often signifies that the boundary continues along the straight line formed by these stakes or along a line perpendicular to the previous boundary, depending on the specific local rule. In Tim Slauter’s case, if the pro implies an indefinite extension of the line, it means any point beyond the line formed by the last two stakes would be considered OB. If, however, the OB ends at the last stake, a ball landing beyond it but not crossing an imaginary line might remain in play. However, according to Rules Guy’s response, the final decision rests with the local rule or the committee/pro’s ruling.

The Importance of Clear Markings:

This situation highlights the critical need for all course boundaries, especially in-course OB, to be clearly and unambiguously marked. Players must be able to easily identify the boundary line to avoid errors and disputes. If markings are unclear, players are advised to seek clarification from a marshal, referee, or club official before playing from a potentially problematic area.

In conclusion, as Michael Stover’s example illustrates, the Rules of Golf are not without elements of luck, and a bounce off an OB stake that keeps the ball in play is entirely legitimate. Meanwhile, issues concerning boundary definitions, particularly in-course OB, require maximum clarity to ensure fair and correct play.