Unplayable Lie Question

[KGlennCole]

Facts:
(1) Ball is lying in heavy fescue on left-hand side of fairway ~less than 2' from rough. [Actually, *buried* beneath matted-down fescue.]
(2) Right-handed golfer. [That would be me. ]
(3) Player knows he can declare unplayable lie any where, any time. 1 of the 3 relief options (line to pin) not feasible; 1 other, replay from tee not considered (although, in hindsight, probably should have been. LOL? or is that COL? [crying]).

Questions:
(1) Can player's nearest point of relief be to the *right*? Thereby allowing player to drop within 2 club lengths of that point (essentially in the rough)?

BTW. Here's what happened - I didn't take relief, and elected to play the ball, because I was unsure and did not ask my fellow competitors for a ruling. I hacked the ball out to ~6" from the fescue into the rough.. I then proceeded to *whiff* 2 shots because the high fescue caught my club.. finally, on 3rd try, I was able to advance the ball.. took an 8 on the short par 4. Ouch.

Oh, I don't think, even now, that I would have been entitled to relief to the *right*. Am I right or wrong?

Lesson learned? Next time. Hit the fairway.. or at least the rough.

 

[threeputt]

Yes he can take a drop ANYWHERE (that is no closer to the hole) with two club lengths.

 

[KGlennCole]

Yes he can take a drop ANYWHERE (that is no closer to the hole) with two club lengths.

Even if the relief point is out of the fescue to *right*? A clear advantage? 2 club lengths would have put me well outside the fescue 'cuz I was barely in it.

I guess I thought of the carpath-type issue vis-a-vis RH vs LH golfer. [Geez. Why weren't you in my group? Oh, I know you can't advise me as to the rules *except* if I'm about to break one.]

 

[goley]

Your nearest point of relief only applies when it is a free drop. When it is a penalty drop you can take your drop on either side as long as it is no closer to the hole.

 

[SJO]

Goley is right, you weren't taking relief, you were taking a penalty drop. Two club lengths from where your ball was lying no nearer the hole.

 

[jab]

Regarding advice about Rules of Golf - you are precluded from giving or taking advice regarding how to play but it is ok to say what a Rule is. E.g. you can not say "why don't you declare unplayable and play within 2 club lengths?" but if asked what the unplayable options are you could respond with the 3 options.