Even the best golfers fall victim to the rules of the game — just ask Greg Norman, Paul Azinger, Craig Stadler and Michelle Wie.
The Advertiser, with help from Ko Olina director of golf Greg Nichols, has begun a question-and-answer feature on the rules of golf. If you have a question regarding the rules of golf e-mail a question to cmurayama@honolulu
advertiser.com.
For additional rules information, ask your
local Aloha Section PGA professional or go online to www.USGA.org.

Q. I am trying to seek an answer regarding drop relief from a cart path, sprinkler head, stake tree or something similar where relief is allowed. My question is: Are you allowed to address the situation say from a left-handed stance, then take your relief and then hit your ball from the right-handed side, which is your normal swing stance. — Jimmy Tanigawa.

A. Great question! The answer is both yes and no depending upon the specific circumstance.

Let me explain. The Note to the Definition of Nearest Point of Relief provides that the player should determine this point by "using the club, address position, direction of play and swing that he would have used if the obstruction was not there."

So, a right-handed player may not use a left-handed address position to determine their nearest point of relief and then play a right-handed stroke.

However, under Decision 24-2b/17, when an obstruction interferes with an abnormal stroke — for example, a right-handed player having to use a left-handed stroke, and the abnormal stroke is reasonable under the circumstances, then a player is allowed to take relief.

The player may then use his normal right-handed stroke to make the shot. The example cited in the rule involves a right-handed player's ball whose ball is so close to a fence (immovable obstruction) on the left side of the hole that the only way the player may play toward the hole is with a left-handed stroke.

However, if it is clearly unreasonable for a player to want to use an abnormal stroke, then no free relief would be given.

For additional information, read Rule 24 Obstructions and Rule 20, on Lifting, Dropping and Placing. If you really have lots of free time, buy a Decisions Book on the Rules of Golf.

Even the best golfers fall victim to the rules of the game — just ask Greg Norman, Paul Azinger, Craig Stadler and Michelle Wie.

The Advertiser, with help from Ko Olina director of golf Greg Nichols, has begun a question-and-answer feature on the rules of golf. If you have a question regarding the rules of golf e-mail a question to cmurayama@honolulu advertiser.com.

For additional rules information, ask your local Aloha Section PGA professional or go online to www.USGA.org.