Staked trees

[RulesGuy]

Can a staked tree be deemed an immovable obstruction or do we use the no play zone local rule. Thanks in anticipation.

 

[jim8flog]

Relief from a staked tree is not automatic, please note within the guide it is limited to young trees


Which trees you get relief from have to be defined by a local rule.

The tree cannot be defined as a an immovable obstruction because it does not meet the definition of an obstruction but the stake can be.

This is the guide and wording for the protection of trees

E-10 Protection of Young Trees
Purpose. To prevent damage to young trees when a player makes a stroke, a Committee can choose to designate them as a no play zone so that:

• If a player has any type of interference as defined in Rule 16.1 from such a tree designated as a no play zone, he or she must take relief under Rule 16.1f.
• If the player’s ball lies in a penalty area, he or she must either take free relief under the Local Rule within the penalty area or proceed with penalty under Rule 17.1.

Such trees should be identified by stakes, ribbons or in some other clear way.

When the tree has matured and no longer needs this protection, the Committee should withdraw the Local Rule and/or remove the identifying stake or ribbon from the tree.

Model Local Rule E-10
“The young trees identified by [identify markings] are no play zones:

• If a player’s ball lies anywhere on the course other than in a penalty area and it lies on or touches such a tree or such a tree interferes with the player’s stance or area of intended swing, the player must take relief under Rule 16.1f.
• If the ball lies in a penalty area, and interference to the player’s stance or area of intended swing exists from such a tree, the player must take relief either with penalty under Rule 17.1e or with free relief under Rule 17.1e(2).

Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a.”

 

[duncan mackie]

Define the trees as no play zones - see model local rule E-10

 

[RulesGuy]

Many thanks Jim & Duncan for the clarification I was looking for

 

[mikejohnchapman]

Relief from a staked tree is not automatic, please note within the guide it is limited to young trees


Which trees you get relief from have to be defined by a local rule.

The tree cannot be defined as a an immovable obstruction because it does not meet the definition of an obstruction but the stake can be.

This is the guide and wording for the protection of trees

E-10 Protection of Young Trees
Purpose. To prevent damage to young trees when a player makes a stroke, a Committee can choose to designate them as a no play zone so that:

• If a player has any type of interference as defined in Rule 16.1 from such a tree designated as a no play zone, he or she must take relief under Rule 16.1f.
• If the player’s ball lies in a penalty area, he or she must either take free relief under the Local Rule within the penalty area or proceed with penalty under Rule 17.1.

Such trees should be identified by stakes, ribbons or in some other clear way.

When the tree has matured and no longer needs this protection, the Committee should withdraw the Local Rule and/or remove the identifying stake or ribbon from the tree.

Model Local Rule E-10
“The young trees identified by [identify markings] are no play zones:

• If a player’s ball lies anywhere on the course other than in a penalty area and it lies on or touches such a tree or such a tree interferes with the player’s stance or area of intended swing, the player must take relief under Rule 16.1f.
• If the ball lies in a penalty area, and interference to the player’s stance or area of intended swing exists from such a tree, the player must take relief either with penalty under Rule 17.1e or with free relief under Rule 17.1e(2).

Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a.”

Played at a course recently where the local rule also covered the ball flight as well. I asked why and they said it was because they had spent so much on the trees they didn't want them damaged!

 

[rulefan]

Oh dear !

 

[trevor]

I had this conversation recently when my ball was behind a staked tree and the only way to the general direction of the green was through the tree. Seems daft that you can hit a ball through the tree knocking branches off with the ball. Was told that you have the option of chipping out sideways if you feel you didn’t want to damage the tree or through the tree if you don’t care.