Golf Nut, one foot inside a red staked hazard is a permanent fence. The golfer’s ball lays one foot outside this hazard. The golfer wants to take a drop because he says that the fence interferes with his backswing. Is he entitled to the drop or is it only if the obstruction interferes with his stance?

Let’s look at the rule on this. The rule that addresses this is 24-2. First, interference by an immovable obstruction happens when your golf ball lies in or on the obstruction, or when the obstruction interferes with the your stance or the area of your intended swing. Now in the case that you described, it appears the that fence (which is an immovable obstruction by the way) interferes with his swing.

So normally the golfer would be entitled to relief (a free drop) in this situation. But you need to also check on the following:

1. The nearest point of relief cannot be in hazard under this rule.
2. The golfer may not take relief under this rule if interference by an immovable obstruction would occur only through use of an unnecessarily abnormal stance, swing or direction of play.

Based on what you have told me, whoever the golfer was (I hope you didn’t have money riding on him not being able to drop) would be entitled to a drop as I understand your question.

Good golfing!