Obstructions-Rule 24

Many golfers are fairly clear about immovable obstructions and the relief procedures.But, when it comes to movable obstructions and Rule 24-1, many golfers get confused about the relief procedures.Relief under Rule 24-1 is one of the most liberal grants given by R&A to golfers with the least number of restrictions.You will not get relief for immovable obstructions/abnormal ground conditions nor can you touch or remove loose impediments in a water hazard.In a bunker,you cannot touch or remove loose impediments.Also, for free relief for immovable obstructions/abnormal ground conditions in a bunker, the ball has to be dropped in the bunker. A movable obstruction can be moved in a bunker, in a water hazard and even if it is located Out of Bounds. The only restriction imposed is that a player cannot move a movable obstruction when it will influence the movement of the ball.The equipment of any player and flagstick(when attended, held up or removed) are exempted.
The confusion arises when a ball is resting against or in/on a movable obstruction.
In the recently concluded South Zone Junior golf tournament at Eagleton, I was officiating as a referee.This preparatory tournament is the brainchild of Vijay Divecha and his initiatives has put some of the Southern India golfers in the top rung of the national circuit.His wards include Abhishek Jha, Anirbhan Lahiri, Chikka Rangappa and others. Many of the youngsters in this South Zone tournament are raw, but very eager and enthusiastic to learn.One such player encountered a situation when his ball was resting against a rake placed close, but outside the bunker.He was not clear about the procedure and a referee could not be contacted immediately.He marked the ball,picked up the ball first and then removed the Rake!Then, he replaced the ball. As his fellow competitors expressed some doubts about this procedure,he opted to play two balls under R 3-3.He dropped the second ball under the spot where it lay. He completed the hole with both the balls and reported the facts to the committee.
As the second ball did not comply with the procedure laid out in R 24-1, the score was ignored.The score with the original ball was taken and a penalty of 1 stroke was added, because he lifted the ball when not permitted by rule and breached R 18-2.
When a ball is resting against a movable obstruction, the obstruction may be removed(NOT THE BALL) and if the ball moves, it must be replaced.If the ball lies in or on an obstruction,the ball may be lifted, obstruction removed. The ball must be dropped under the spot where it originally lay.