SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
Ball in hedge but playable. How much in the way of practising the shot you want to play can you do without breaking a rule prohibiting you from clearing a path for your backswing. And what rule.
Practice 'swings' when in hedge
- Thread starter SwingsitlikeHogan
- Start date
Spuddy
Challenge Tour Pro
you can't improve your swing path at all. If a couple of leaves are dislodged in a bush full of them then you're OK as there's no material improvement. Rule 13-2 and decision 13-2/0.5 refer.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
Thank you sir - guessing this to be the case as PP yesterday took his club back half dozen times clattering branches and leaves in practice before playing his shot.
Spuddy
Challenge Tour Pro
The old 'keep practice swinging until all of the offending leaves/branches have broken off' trick....
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
The old 'keep practice swinging until all of the offending leaves/branches have broken off' trick....
I hadn't seen anyone do it for a long time so though I knew he was breaking a rule I couldn't think what. As I hadn't played with the lad before I didn't make anything of it as his round was done in - but will mention ruling to him next time I see him.
I guess thing to do is to find a place close by in hedge but far enough away from ball position - and have a few practice swings in the hedge at that point to get a feel for the shot you want to play.
Last edited:
duncan mackie
Money List Winner
This is exactly why you see pros on TV who are in long grass or poor lies find a similar situation away from their ball to test/experience. The taller the growth the more risk that they inadvertently improve their path to the ball. In trees it's silly to make any movements at anything faster than 'super slo-mo' to establish if you are going to make contact.
ScienceBoy
Money List Winner
Round done in or not you should point out rule infringements. It will hurt them more if pulled up on their better rounds.
Colin L
Tour Winner
It's not just practice swings you need to be careful about, as I found to my cost recently. My ball was clear of but right at the edge of knee high nettles and grass such that I had to make my swing through the undergrowth. First attempt and my backswing got stuck halfway through the nettles. Instead of just making a stab at the ball from there (ah hindsight!), I stopped.
Made a fine recovery with the next attempt. :swing:
Well, you would, wouldn't you, do I hear you cry? What's that you're saying about having scythed a path halfway through the rubbish for my backswing on the second go? Something wrong with that?
Made a fine recovery with the next attempt. :swing:
Well, you would, wouldn't you, do I hear you cry? What's that you're saying about having scythed a path halfway through the rubbish for my backswing on the second go? Something wrong with that?
MashieNiblick
Tour Winner
It's not just practice swings you need to be careful about, as I found to my cost recently. My ball was clear of but right at the edge of knee high nettles and grass such that I had to make my swing through the undergrowth. First attempt and my backswing got stuck halfway through the nettles. Instead of just making a stab at the ball from there (ah hindsight!), I stopped.
Made a fine recovery with the next attempt. :swing:
Well, you would, wouldn't you, do I hear you cry? What's that you're saying about having scythed a path halfway through the rubbish for my backswing on the second go? Something wrong with that?
13-2/14.5 Branch Broken on Backswing and Swing Discontinued ?
duncan mackie
Money List Winner
One of my favorite decisions - - clear and straightforward explanation.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
Yes I know I should have.
