Nearest point of relief

[rosecott]

In a group (but not a formally marked plantation) of staked trees I must take my relief from the nearest staked tree interfering with my stance or swing. Correct? In taking full relief from that staked tree can I take my drop in a position where my stance or swing is then interfered with by another staked tree - and so I can take full relief from that tree? And in proceeding in this manner multiple times I could possibly be able to make my way from the centre of a group of staked trees to the edge of it and then out of it?

A man of your experience?

No problem.

 

[Colin L]

In a group (but not a formally marked plantation) of staked trees I must take my relief from the nearest staked tree interfering with my stance or swing. Correct? In taking full relief from that staked tree can I take my drop in a position where my stance or swing is then interfered with by another staked tree - and so I can take full relief from that tree? And in proceeding in this manner multiple times I could possibly be able to make my way from the centre of a group of staked trees to the edge of it and then out of it?

As your own signature says: to infinity and beyond ....

...... provided that is within the course boundary.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Asked I was reflecting upon DJs use of the rules to get himself clear of the TV tower and the fact that in a comp yesterday morning I hit my ball into a clump of staked trees; that was quite far in but the nearest staked tree was towards the fairway side, and I was able to take full relief from that staked tree and drop within a club length to give myself a clear and straightforward wedge shot to the green. But I was lucky that I was closest to the staked tree I was.

And so I thought on and hence my question.

My logic being that the positions of all other trees in the clump is irrelevant to my taking relief from that staked tree closest to my ball (regardless of direction of play?). And once I've dropped then that is that relief over. And if - by coincidence or luck ( ) I find myself once more impeded by a staked tree then I start the relief process over. And so there is nothing stopping my cunningly taking my first relief and drop at a position that will give me a further relief, and then repeat until I am 'out of the woods'.

Which is most probably why the boundary of a plantation of staked trees is often marked so that we don't go through the palaver that I have just described.

 

[rulefan]

In a group (but not a formally marked plantation) of staked trees I must take my relief from the nearest staked tree interfering with my stance or swing. Correct?

Not quite. If you have interference from two or more trees at the same time, you can choose which one to take relief from. It doesn't have to be the nearest.

 

[MashieNiblick]

Bear in mind that the NPR from the second tree might be back towards the first tree effectively putting you back where you started. Have a look at Decision 1-4/8.5 Nearest Point of Relief from Cart Path Is in Casual Water, Nearest Point of Relief from Casual Water Is Back on Cart Path; Impracticable for Player to Drop Ball Into Area of Casual Water. If that is the case, after gaining relief from the first tree you can then establish the NPR which gives relief from both conditions.

 

[SammmeBee]

In a group (but not a formally marked plantation) of staked trees I must take my relief from the nearest staked tree interfering with my stance or swing. Correct? In taking full relief from that staked tree can I take my drop in a position where my stance or swing is then interfered with by another staked tree - and so I can take full relief from that tree? And in proceeding in this manner multiple times I could possibly be able to make my way from the centre of a group of staked trees to the edge of it and then out of it?

Yes - same as lots of mole hills....