stymie n
1. a situation in golf where an opponent's ball blocks the line between your ball and the hole
2. a thwarting and distressing situation v : hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of; "His brother blocked him at every turn" [syn: obstruct, blockade, block, hinder, stymy, embarrass] [also: stymying]

Stymie \Sty"mie\, n. Also Stimy \Sti"my\ . [Orig. uncertain.] (Golf) The position of two balls on the putting green such that, being more than six inches apart, one ball lies directly between the other and the hole at which the latter must be played; also, the act of bringing the balls into this position.

Stymie \Sty"mie\, v. t. Also Stimy \Sti"my\ . (Golf) To bring into the position of, or impede by, a stymie.

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A stymie refers to an archaic rule in the game of golf.

In singles match play when one player's ball blocked the path of another player's ball on the green, but were not within six inches of each other, the obstructing player's ball was not lifted.

Instead the player who was furthest away from the hole had to attempt to slice or draw their putt around the obstacle ball. Sometimes a player would even attempt to chip their ball over the opponent's ball into the cup.

If the player failed, even hitting their opponent's ball, their next shot would have to be played from where their ball now lay. If contact happened, the player's opponent, when it was their turn to play, had the choice to take their putt from their ball's original position or its new lie.

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