When your swing is obstructed by an object ( gate, tree, rock) what are the rules?

Question

After teeing off, my ball landed right next to a gate which was not out of bounds making it playable, but I could not make a full swing at my ball due to the fence.

Answer 1

24-2 Immovable Obstruction

b. Relief
Except when the ball is in a water hazard or a lateral water hazard, a player may take relief from interference by an immovable obstruction as follows:
(i) Through the Green: If the ball lies through the green, the player must lift the ball and drop it without penalty within one club-length of and not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief. The nearest point of relief must not be in a hazard or on a putting green. When the ball is dropped within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, the ball must first strike a part of the course at a spot that avoids interference by the immovable obstruction and is not in a hazard and not on a putting green. (ii) In a Bunker: If the ball is in a bunker, the player must lift the ball and drop it either: (a) Without penalty, in accordance with Clause (i) above, except that the nearest point of relief must be in the bunker and the ball must be dropped in the bunker; or (b) Under penalty of one stroke, outside the bunker keeping the point where the ball lay directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the bunker the ball may be dropped. (iii) On the Putting Green: If the ball lies on the putting green, the player must lift the ball and place it without penalty at the nearest point of relief that is not in a hazard. The nearest point of relief may be off the putting green. (iv) On the Teeing Ground: If the ball lies on the teeing ground, the player must lift the ball and drop it without penalty in accordance with Clause (i) above. The ball may be cleaned when lifted under this Rule.
(Ball rolling to a position where there is interference by the condition from which relief was taken — see Rule 20-2c(v).)
Exception: A player may not take relief under this Rule if (a) it is clearly unreasonable for him to make a stroke because of interference by anything other than an immovable obstruction or (b) interference by an immovable obstruction would occur only through use of an unnecessarily abnormal stance, swing or direction of play.
Note 1: If a ball is in a water hazard (including a lateral water hazard), the player may not take relief from interference by an immovable obstruction. The player must play the ball as it lies or proceed under Rule 26-1.
Note 2: If a ball to be dropped or placed under this Rule is not immediately recoverable, another ball may be substituted.
Note 3: The Committee may make a Local Rule stating that the player must determine the nearest point of relief without crossing over, through or under the obstruction

Answer 2

In your case you would need to play it as it lies. Your only other option would be to declare the ball unplayable, you incur a one shot penalty but you may:

a. play your tee shot again (three off the tee)

b. Take a drop as far back as you want , keeping the gate between you and the hole.

c. Drop within two club lengths no nearer the hole

Answer 3

Rule is play it where it lies regardless of elements that prevent a perfect swing. You have to just hit the ball into an area that allows you to put it back into the fairway if you can't get it to the fairway with your first hit. I'm a rules official at a local country club so I know what I'm talking about. I can cite the specific paragraph in the rules book if you like.

Answer 4

Commonly, the rule is play it as it lies. However, if the object which impeads your swing is a man made object, you are allowed to drop the ball one club length - no nearer to the hole.

Answer 5

if it was on a man made object such as a cart path or gate you are allowed to move it back keeping the same line to the hole, but no closer to the hole. If it is next to or on an immovable object such as a rock or tree, sorry bud but you have to play it as it lies.

Answer 6

Play it where it lies. You cannot take relief from the object with out taking a penalty. Next time try shortening your swing.