[Golf Rules... Knowledge Is Power] Relief on Cart Roads

Niman LIV Golf Mexico Tournament 2R Hole 13
Relief Drop Within 1 Club Length on Cart Path Allowed Without Penalty
Incorrect Drop Location Violates Rule 14.7a, 2-Stroke Penalty Imposed

Golf has no referees. It is a "gentleman's sport" where golfers play by following the rules themselves. The golf rules are "assistants" created to help with play. If well understood and properly applied, they can greatly aid in score management. These are golf rules that weekend golfers must know.

One must be extremely careful when dropping the ball. This is the lesson from Joaqu?n Niemann (Chile). It happened on the 13th hole (par 5) during the second round of the 2024 LIV Golf Series season opener, the Mayakoba event (total prize money $25 million), held on the El Camaleon Golf Course (par 71, 7,116 yards) in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, on the 3rd (local time).

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Niemann’s tee shot stopped on the cart path. He took relief without penalty and continued play, fortunately making par. However, the committee reviewed Niemann’s play and judged that he violated the rule by dropping the ball outside the one-club-length relief area. A two-stroke penalty was imposed immediately after the second round. His official score on the 13th hole changed from par to double bogey.

Niemann violated golf rule 14.7a. Taking relief from an incorrect spot results in a general penalty. Niemann’s two-stroke penalty narrowed his gap from 4 strokes to 2 strokes behind the leader. Fortunately, Niemann tied with Sergio Garcia (Spain) after the final third round and then secured the "winning birdie" on the fourth playoff hole at the 18th hole (par 4). This was his first victory since joining LIV Golf, earning him the winner’s prize of $4 million (approximately 5.3 billion KRW).