It’s hard to play golf without encountering obstructions.

Have you ever just barely missed hitting your ball out of bounds, only to find that you’re now obstructed by an out of bounds stake? Well, that’s too bad because they’re not considered obstructions. (You weren’t fooled, right?)

So what are obstructions?

Rule 24 tells us all about obstructions. According to the Rules of Golf, an obstruction is anything artificial, except:

• Objects defining out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings;
• Any part of an immovable artificial object that is out of bounds; and
• Any construction declared by the Committee to be an integral part of the course.

This can include maintained cart paths, trash containers, ball washers, benches, or television towers (hey, I can dream).

The Rules divide obstructions into two categories, movable and immovable. Things get a little more involved when greens or hazards are involved, so check Rule 24 for help in those situation, but following are the general guidelines for obstructions.

Movable Obstructions

As the name suggests, these obstructions can be moved. If the ball lies in or on the obstruction, the ball may be lifted, the obstruction moved, then the ball dropped, without penalty. Otherwise, simply move it and take your shot.

Immovable Obstructions

These include things like maintained cart paths or television towers. If your ball lies in or on the obstruction, or if the obstruction interferes with your stance or the area of your intended swing, you’re entitled to relief. Generally, that’s one club length from the nearest point of relief, no nearer the hole.

It’s also important to note that you don’t get relief from mental interference. The obstruction must interfere with your stance or the area of your intended swing. The distraction created by the smell emanating from the snack shack isn’t enough.

Integral Construction

The third exception to “anything artificial” often throws players for a loop. It tells us that any construction that the Committee has declared an “integral part of the course” is not an obstruction.

A very common instance of this would be a permanent retaining wall that holds up the side of a bunker or green or other part of the course. These are normally considered to be integral to the course and you are not entitled to relief. Check with your course or with the tournament Committee to find out what parts of the course they consider to be integral.

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That’s the basics on obstructions. Being able to correctly identify them will give you the relief you deserve on the course, or save you from big penalties coming from mistakenly taking relief when you’re not entitled. Just remember: Artificial, in-bounds, and not an integral part of the course are the important keys.

The big oak tree just off the fairway that you hit all the time? Not an obstruction. The “hole in one” car parked next to the tee? Obstruction. The “hole in one” car parked in the parking lot out of bounds because you somehow managed to hit it next to the tee? Not an obstruction. See that? There’s not much to it.

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