Dear madam,
I want to ask what I should do when my golf ball lies
under a young,
unmarked tree of about one meter in height. Thanks in
advance.
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
There is a Local Rule [Appendix I, Part B, #3] that is
designed to protect young trees. A Committee that decides to adopt this rule must
explain how the golfer will recognize such trees (perhaps they are staked or
labeled). When this Local Rule is in effect, any identified tree that interferes
with a player’s stance or the area of his intended swing will entitle the
player to the same free relief he would get if the tree were an immovable
obstruction [see Rule 24-2b].
If this Local Rule has not been adopted at your golf course,
there is no free relief. You must play the ball as it lies or declare it
unplayable and proceed under any of the relief options in Rule 28 (Unplayable
Ball), all of which would add a one-stroke penalty to your score.
Linda
Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
