Question

In stroke play, a player's ball lies in bounds in the general area. The player's swing has interference from a metal chain-link fence not defining out of bounds but all of which lies out of bounds. The player takes relief under the abnormal course conditions relief Rule (16.1b) and plays the ball. What is the ruling?

1) There is no penalty.
2) There is a one-stroke penalty.
3) The player gets the general penalty.

Answer 1

A golfer with a metal club is vulnerable to lightning because metal is a conductor and being elevated makes the golfer a potential lightning rod. Sheltering under a tree is also dangerous as trees can be struck by lightning, with the energy causing harm to those nearby.

Step-by-step explanation:

A golfer with a metal club over her shoulder is vulnerable to lightning because metal is a good conductor of electricity, and carrying it high up increases the risk of attracting a strike in an open field like a fairway. Furthermore, holding the club up can make the golfer the tallest object in an open area, which again could attract lightning.

However, taking shelter under a tree is not safer during a lightning storm, as trees can also be struck by lightning. If the tree is hit, the lightning can travel through the tree and potentially harm anyone nearby. Additionally, lightning often strikes the tallest objects, and if a tree is struck, the energy can disperse laterally and still cause harm even if one is not directly under the tree.