Relief in casual water

[shagster]

did the tree interfere with your swing?

 

[chrisd]

did the tree interfere with your swing?

I had a line to the green, but miles away from the pin position, with a shot I could easily have executed. The drop gave me a direct shot at the hole.

 

[Colin L]

did the tree interfere with your swing?

I'm not sure of the relevance of your question?

 

[backwoodsman]

did the tree interfere with your swing?

I'm not sure of the relevance of your question?

Presumably angling at the "no shot, no relief" exception to rule 25/1 ?

 

[shagster]

exactly
if there was interference from the tree to the swing, then you can not take relief from abnormal ground conditions in this circumstance
hence the question

 

[rulie]

exactly
if there was interference from the tree to the swing, then you can not take relief from abnormal ground conditions in this circumstance
hence the question

Usually this is not true. Any interference by the tree must make the stroke impracticable; otherwise free relief is available.

 

[shagster]

the way i understand the rule is as follows
ball in abnormal ground condition and on your intended line of stroke, a tree impedes you, that's though luck, but playing sideways you then may be entitled to relief
that's why i asked about the tree and closeness to ball
that's how i interpret the decisions as well

 

[rulefan]

the way i understand the rule is as follows
ball in abnormal ground condition and on your intended line of stroke, a tree impedes you, that's though luck, but playing sideways you then may be entitled to relief
that's why i asked about the tree and closeness to ball
that's how i interpret the decisions as well

Correct.

If the tree makes any shot impracticable or unreasonable, there is no relief. But if you can make a shot backwards or to the side and it is not unreasonable to do so, then you may take relief.

If the abnormal condition (or tarmac path say) was not there but the tree was still in the way, would you play that backwards, sideways or left handed to get away from the tree? If so, you get relief. Not from the tree but from the GUR/IO.

 

[rulie]

the way i understand the rule is as follows
ball in abnormal ground condition and on your intended line of stroke, a tree impedes you, that's though luck, but playing sideways you then may be entitled to relief
that's why i asked about the tree and closeness to ball
that's how i interpret the decisions as well

A tree on the line of play is not sufficient that the Exception to the Rule (denying relief) applies. The whole stroke would need to be impracticable, not just a tree on the line of play that doesn't interfere with anything but the line of play.