By Josh Boyles
No, this is not going to be about computers. This is about what is seen as artificial and natural in the Rules of Golf.
Knowing whether an object is artificial or natural is important when determining if it is an Obstruction or Loose Impediment. An Obstruction is defined as any artificial object except for integral and boundary objects and can be movable or immovable. A Loose Impediment is defined as any unattached natural object. A Moveable Obstruction, like a soda can next to your ball, may be removed, and if your ball moves in the process, there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced. A Loose Impediment can also be removed if it lies next to your ball, but there is one penalty stroke added if your ball moves the ball must again be replaced.
Another area of the Rules where artificial and natural objects are mentioned is in the definition of Ball Markers. A Ball Marker is defined as an artificial object used to mark the spot of a ball to be lifted. By this definition, you are not allowed to mark the spot of your ball with your finger, but you can if you wear a glove and use your finger, since there is now an artificial object--the glove, marking the spot.
Wood is a material that can be found throughout the course as both an artificial and a natural object. A wood chip is considered natural, including the decorative wood chips or bark that can be spread over flower beds. Even though the decorative wood chips or bark were processed and sold at a store, they are Loose Impediments. This means that a wood chip may not be used as a ball marker.
What does this mean for the wooden ball markers sold in a pro shop, or tees, or rakes made of wood? These objects are made of wood, but they were manufactured and designed for a specific purpose, allowing for a wooden ball marker or tee to be used to mark your spot and the wooden rake to be a Moveable Obstruction. The process of a Loose Impediment becoming an Obstruction can be found in the Clarification Loose Impediment/2.
It shouldn’t happen often, but it is possible to find your ball next to a random piece of fruit, like a banana or orange, or maybe even an unshelled peanut. It could have gotten there because there are fruit trees on the course or it could have fallen out of someone’s bag or cart. No matter how the fruit gets there, it will always be declared a Loose Impediment. This is true even if it has been prepared by being cut into pieces or partially eaten. It also includes if someone either discards the peel of a banana or orange or the core of an apple. The fruit still having the sticker would not change its status either, it would still be a Loose Impediment. The Clarification Loose Impediment/1 explains the Status of Fruit.
You never know what you will find next to your ball, but the above gives an idea of what is considered artificial or natural. Keeping the difference between what is artificial or natural in mind can help you decide what to use as a ball marker in case you forget one. Taking a second to think about what you are removing can help save you from an unnecessary penalty or help you realize you get free relief.
