In golf, if a ball sits up against a fence, what is the rule?

Question

In golf, if a ball sits up against a fence, what is the rule?

Answer 1

It's a man-made obstacle, therefore I believe you get 2 club lengths.

Answer 2

two lengths and drop from the shoulder height

Answer 3

If it's an out of bounds fence then you get no relief. You can take an unplayable for a penalty and relief.

If it's a fence which is NOT a boundary then you get relief. The relief is the nearest point where your swing doesn't have interference plus one club length.

Answer 4

If it is a fence that designates an Out Of Bounds boundry, you get no relief, same with OB stakes.  You must paly it as it lies.  any other fence on the course is considered a man-made obstruction, from which you are allowed relief.

Answer 5

Deano is correct.  It happened in the British Open years ago where a golfer put his approach shot next to a fence on the 17th hole.  His backswing was hampered so he called for relief but the rules stated that he needed to play as it lies.

He actually hit into the wall, ricoched off of it and back to the green, great shot.

Answer 6

If the fence is an interior fence to a work area, pathway ,etc the player can drop within two club lengths, no nearer the hole, without penalty. If the fence is on the outer edge of the property and designates out of bounds there is no relief without penalty. The penalty is one stroke  and the drop is within the area, no nearer the hole with full relief from the obstacle( the fence).

Answer 7

I believe if it is a O.B. fence you must play it as it lies. You always have the option of taking an unplayable lie.