Man made obstructions in a bunker

[ask3l]

this chap has refereed on the european tour so i reckon he knows what hes talking about

Don't doubt what he said, it's what those listening "think he said" that's the problem. 

[ianbakerfinchrules]

he said exactly what ive said wooden steps or sleepers ect free drop in the bunker alternatively one shot penalty outside the bunker in line with the point the ball is and the pin

[ask3l]

he said exactly what ive said wooden steps or sleepers ect free drop in the bunker alternatively one shot penalty outside the bunker in line with the point the ball is and the pin

That is the case if the sleepers are not declared integral parts of the course, but as far as i can see and what was in question in the OP was if the sleepers were  "declared by the Committee to be an integral part of the course" or not.
What i'm saying is we have to be aware of ALL the facts before you can give the correct answer.
On the flip side to your guess is If the sleepers are declared an integral part of the course, there is no "free" relief.

[Blofeld]

had a county meeting on sunday and had an egu qualified referee down and this is one of the rules be brought up thats the only reason im pretty confident! .

To resurrect an old thread....

I attended a Rules evening tonight and specifically raised this point (to an EGU Qualified Referee) about the face of a bunker being made from railway sleepers and what the status is of the sleepers.

The answer....

Unless specified in the local rules of the course, a vertical face of a bunker made from railway sleepers is an integral part of the bunker and no free relief is obtainable

However....

The EGU have a "Hard Card" for their competitions. Effectively the "Hard Card" is a set of local rules that supersede the local rules of the course where an EGU tournament is being held.

The EGU Hard Card defines that such railway sleepers used to line the face of a bunker as being an immovable obstruction.....and relief can therefore be taken!!!

It is highly likely that IBF's qualified referee was getting his reference from the "Hard Card".

So....for us mortals....check the courses local rules on the scorecard....if the status of the sleepers is not mentioned then play the ball as it lies.

If you are lucky enough to be playing an EGU event then you will get relief.