The Advertiser, with help from Ko Olina director of golf Greg Nichols, is offering this question-and-answer feature on the rules of golf. If you have a question regarding the rules of golf e-mail cmurayama@honoluluadvertiser.com. Nichols recommends readers go to PlayGolfAmerica.com for information on golf programs in their area. For additional rules information, ask your local Aloha Section PGA professional or go online to www.USGA.org.

Q: Does a player get free relief from a stake defining O.B., or if the stake is removable, can the player remove the stake to play his shot? — Ray Suppa

A: The short answer is "no" to both questions. Let me explain. In my experience, there is always confusion regarding relief procedures from both O.B. stakes and red and yellow stakes defining lateral and water hazards. The common mistake that everyone makes with O.B. stakes is thinking that since they are a "man-made" object, they therefore are an obstruction. Generally, a player is entitled to free relief provided under Rule 24, Obstructions.

However, an O.B. stake is not an obstruction under the definitions in the rules of golf. Part of the definition for Out of Bounds states the following, "Objects defining O.B. such as walls, fences, stakes or railings are not obstructions and are deemed to be fixed." As I have mentioned before, anyone wishing to improve their knowledge of the rules of golf should start with familiarizing themselves with the definitions in the front of the rules book.

So, a player does not get relief under Rule 24 Obstructions since an O.B. stake is not an obstruction. Water hazard stakes, however, are considered obstructions under the rules. A player whose ball is lying outside the hazard gets free relief from a water hazard stake. The actual relief procedures depend upon whether the stake is movable or not. See Rule 24-1 Obstructions.

Be careful, however, if your ball actually lies in the boundaries of the water hazard. In that case, a player gets relief from a water hazard stake that is a movable obstruction but not from a stake that is immovable. Again, see the Definitions for Obstructions and Rule 24-1 Obstructions, specifically Note 1 for a more detailed explanation.

It's very easy to see why players can get confused, but studying and learning the definitions will help you in applying the correct rule.