Ball is up a tree and only way to get it down is by shaking it to the ground.......what is the penalty?
Ruling please??
- Thread starter Dodger
- Start date
JT77
Tour Winner
I think if you can see the ball is yours you can take an unplayable.
Not 100% though, sorry
JT
Not 100% though, sorry
JT
What he actually did was take an unplayable once it came down but went back to where he played the shot from and dropped it there......??
JT77
Tour Winner
I'm not sure of the penalty, but I do not think you can shake a tree to get the ball back.
His unplayable could have been taken as far back in line with the flag, again, not sure if he could replay from original spot.
Ball Unplayable (Rule 28)
If your ball is in a water hazard, the unplayable ball Rule does not apply and you must proceed under the water hazard Rule if taking relief. Elsewhere on the course, if you believe your ball is unplayable, you may under penalty of one stroke:
play a ball from where the last shot was played, or
drop a ball any distance behind the point where the ball lay keeping a straight line between the hole, the point where the ball lay and the spot on which the ball is dropped, or
drop a ball within two club-lengths of where the ball lies not nearer the hole
this was from the r&a site mate for unplayables
His unplayable could have been taken as far back in line with the flag, again, not sure if he could replay from original spot.
Ball Unplayable (Rule 28)
If your ball is in a water hazard, the unplayable ball Rule does not apply and you must proceed under the water hazard Rule if taking relief. Elsewhere on the course, if you believe your ball is unplayable, you may under penalty of one stroke:
play a ball from where the last shot was played, or
drop a ball any distance behind the point where the ball lay keeping a straight line between the hole, the point where the ball lay and the spot on which the ball is dropped, or
drop a ball within two club-lengths of where the ball lies not nearer the hole
this was from the r&a site mate for unplayables
Aye the bit I am not sure on is if shoogling the tree to get the ball back is a wrongdoing. 
JT77
Tour Winner
its a def penalty stroke mate, if he took the unplayable before he shook the tree knowing fully it was his ball, then he may have just wanted his ball back. But if he shook the tree to see if it were his ball, then thats is not right, but I am not sure of the consequences. if he could not be sure it was his ball it should have been treated as a lost ball i think.
Fyldewhite
Tour Winner
If he can't identify it then it counts as a lost ball and he can go back, drop and play under stroke and distance.
If he can identify the ball but can't retrieve it then he can say it is unplayable and either take stroke and distance or 2 clubs etc.
If he shakes the tree and his ball falls out he is penalised for moving the ball and should replace it (ie in the tree). If he can't do this then he is allowed to play on under the unplayable ball rule. So if the shot into the tree was his second, he shakes tree (penalty shot) and then goes back (another penalty shot) so he's then playing 5.
If he can identify the ball but can't retrieve it then he can say it is unplayable and either take stroke and distance or 2 clubs etc.
If he shakes the tree and his ball falls out he is penalised for moving the ball and should replace it (ie in the tree). If he can't do this then he is allowed to play on under the unplayable ball rule. So if the shot into the tree was his second, he shakes tree (penalty shot) and then goes back (another penalty shot) so he's then playing 5.
JustOne
Ryder Cup Winner
Could he identify it as his ball BEFORE he shook it to the ground?
viscount17
Money List Winner
Decisions - Search 'tree' (there are more than these but these should do)
18-2a/27
Ball Dislodged from Tree; Circumstances in Which Player Not Penalised
A player whose ball is lodged high in a tree wishes to dislodge it by shaking the tree or throwing a club so that he can identify it and proceed under the unplayable ball Rule. Is this permissible?
Yes. The player should state his intention before taking such action to avoid any question being raised as to whether a penalty would be incurred under Rule 18-2a.
18-2a/29
Ball Dislodged from Tree; Replacement of Ball Not Possible
A player, believing his ball is lodged in a tree, shakes the tree in order to dislodge it. His ball falls to the ground. According to Decision 18-2a/28, the player incurs a penalty of one stroke under Rule 18-2a and must replace his ball. Suppose, however, that the player cannot replace his ball either: (1) because the spot where it lay in the tree is not determinable, or (2) because the ball fails to remain on the correct spot when replaced, or (3) because the player cannot reach the spot where the ball lay. How should the player proceed in each of these three circumstances?
Rules 20-3c and -3d would normally cover circumstances (1) and (2), but these Rules do not contemplate a situation such as the one described. Accordingly, in equity (Rule 1-4), in the first two circumstances the ball must be placed in the tree as near as possible to the spot from which it was moved, and in the third circumstance the player must proceed under the unplayable ball Rule, incurring an additional penalty stroke.
18-2a/27
Ball Dislodged from Tree; Circumstances in Which Player Not Penalised
A player whose ball is lodged high in a tree wishes to dislodge it by shaking the tree or throwing a club so that he can identify it and proceed under the unplayable ball Rule. Is this permissible?
Yes. The player should state his intention before taking such action to avoid any question being raised as to whether a penalty would be incurred under Rule 18-2a.
18-2a/29
Ball Dislodged from Tree; Replacement of Ball Not Possible
A player, believing his ball is lodged in a tree, shakes the tree in order to dislodge it. His ball falls to the ground. According to Decision 18-2a/28, the player incurs a penalty of one stroke under Rule 18-2a and must replace his ball. Suppose, however, that the player cannot replace his ball either: (1) because the spot where it lay in the tree is not determinable, or (2) because the ball fails to remain on the correct spot when replaced, or (3) because the player cannot reach the spot where the ball lay. How should the player proceed in each of these three circumstances?
Rules 20-3c and -3d would normally cover circumstances (1) and (2), but these Rules do not contemplate a situation such as the one described. Accordingly, in equity (Rule 1-4), in the first two circumstances the ball must be placed in the tree as near as possible to the spot from which it was moved, and in the third circumstance the player must proceed under the unplayable ball Rule, incurring an additional penalty stroke.
Fyldewhite
Tour Winner
Yes, if you can positively identify it you can then proceed under the unplayable ball rule. ie you don't actually have to retrieve it and can drop another within 2 clubs or go back on line etc. Once identified you can also declare it unplayable and shake the tree to your hearts content to get it back too. There would be no penalty for moving it.
If you can't identify it then it's lost and you can only go back stroke and distance.
backwoodsman
Tour Winner
viscount has it right as indicated in the decisions book.
You don't have to identify it before shaking the tree. Effectively you can say "I'm going to shake the tree to get it down and see if its mine; if it is I'll continue under the ball unplayable option". Decisions book advises that this is stated to avoid doubt. Although OP doesn't say whether he stated this, since they continued under the ball unplayable, I'd say it was ok.
If you just shake tree then play it from where ball falls, or don't have intention of playing under the unplayable options, then theres's penalties...
You don't have to identify it before shaking the tree. Effectively you can say "I'm going to shake the tree to get it down and see if its mine; if it is I'll continue under the ball unplayable option". Decisions book advises that this is stated to avoid doubt. Although OP doesn't say whether he stated this, since they continued under the ball unplayable, I'd say it was ok.
If you just shake tree then play it from where ball falls, or don't have intention of playing under the unplayable options, then theres's penalties...
