We’ve all been there. Smashed a drive down the middle and walked off the tee all happy with ourselves, only to reach our ball and find it smack bang in the middle of a cavernous divot.
It takes a better man than me to simply shrug your shoulders and move on, but rules are rules and the rules state that you must play it as it lies, even if it’s near subterranean.
DP World Tour star Pablo Larrazabal is one who thinks it’s overly unfair and that the R&A should adjust the rules to allow players to take relief when they find themselves in another player’s divot.
The Spaniard found himself in the situation during the opening round of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and, as he often does, took to ‘X’ to vent his frustrations.
Dear @RandA
Do you think is fair to hit the middle of the fairway in the hardest hole of the course and end up in another players pitch mark and NO relief? I know that is unlucky but come on… check the rules of our game to make it fair please. Thank you and see you guys soon….— Pablo Larrazabal (@plarrazabal) September 19, 2024
While golf is a game of honour, we all know players who bend and even break the rules, so, would allowing players to take relief from divots lead to more trouble than it’s worth? Would arguments ensue as to what constitutes a divot and what doesn’t? Would it further slow down a game that’s become increasingly slow anyway?
Have your say and tell us whether you think the rules should be changed to offer relief or not.
Should you be allowed free relief from a divot in the fairway?
— Irish Golfer (@IrishGolferMag) September 23, 2024
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