I also play better when my opponents are better than me. But they don't play quicker, or have different pre-shot routines. 4 hours for the round, slower than my normal round. You're not the only one who doesn't like long pre-shot routines, but are they really restricted to high handicappers?
Just played my first winter league match, playing off 26. Others were off 7, 9 & 11. I played my regular 101/34pts(approx) winning 5 holes and halving 1 to win 4&3. I was less consistent but otherwise not a great deal worse than the others. I did feel a bandit. I only got 3/4 handicap but this...
This sounds that practising a swing, touching but not breaking the branches is OK.
It sounds that you can't move anything growing near your ball or push into trees/bushes to make your stance. Have I incurred a penalty by pushing under branches to play my ball?
I heard that when playing your shot you have to continue if your backswing hits branches.
Today I was under a tree. I was practicing some swings. These are only of use if I am checking whether my backswing hits the trees. If it does am I improving the lie? I know I can't knock down the branches...
What if you hit a provisional, find the original ball, but prefer the provisional. Can you play the provisional, or do you have to take the penalty and go back to the original place (1 of the options)?