golfrewind.com

I live in south missouri, there are plenty of rocks, we have a nice little 9 hole course, but there is one hole (hole 3) that runs up hill and falls off to the right, bad, on the right side it is lined with trees and the ground is ROCKY
when my ball go's into this ****, is there a rule that says I can bring it out to good (better) ground without penelty??( I am new to this game, but really enjoy it) I like to play it were it lays, BUT,AAAHHHHH, Its bad over there

The simple answer is.......no.

There's no rule that allows you to drop out of the rocks without penalty. Unless the rocky area is marked "Ground Under Repair" or there is a Temporary Immoveable Object (grandstands, TV camera crane, electronic scoreboard, etc.) or Immoveable object, that's not considered an integral part of the course, involved here, you're stuck playing it as it lies or taking penalty relief.

As I just learned in the thread below, this would be a great opportunity to declare your ball unplayable under rule 28, as long as the rocks you speak of aren't out of bounds. You take a one stroke penalty and have to either drop within two club lengths but no closer to the hole, drop the ball as far back as you want as long as the unplayable lie position is directly between you and the hole, or hit from the spot of your previous stroke. Sounds bad, but its better than hacking away in the rocks and taking two or three strokes to get it out.

Unplayable Lie?

Did I get that right?

Now if the area is out of bounds different rules apply. You really should read the rules, it really helped me understand the game and clear up some misconceptions. The USGA has an interactive rule book online at:

http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/rules_of_golf.html

I was reflecting on the "local rules" at some courses allowing for special conditions, such as hitting wires overhead, high voltage towers, a fence or screen next to the tees. The course I play, allows you to hit again without loss of a stroke under these circumstances on several holes. But it doesn't make sense that there would be a "local rule" about landing in rock. I'm betting if you slice into the rocks -- you gotta take the strokes as prescribed by the rules.