Staked trees

[m1975]

only 100 yards from green, close to staked tree with a poor lie - but with wedge not going to hit the tree.
is it within the laws to pull out a longer club than intending to use (therefore will hit staked tree) to gain free relief? Or is this not really in spirit of the game ?

 

[StuartD]

only 100 yards from green, close to staked tree with a poor lie - but with wedge not going to hit the tree.
is it within the laws to pull out a longer club than intending to use (therefore will hit staked tree) to gain free relief? Or is this not really in spirit of the game ?

Pretty sure to obtain relief the tree must interfere with the club you intend to use. So in this case you would not get relief. If you are given relief you are then able to use any club in the bag when making your drop, even one of those cheat broom handle putters

 

[BTatHome]

A couple of points.
- you should be using the club you intend to use for the stroke.
- your swing should be what is considered normal (ie. not a wildly low swing to cause your swing to hit the stake), or in a direction that is considered abnormal.
- if it is unreasonable to make the stroke because of interference by anything other than the tree then you can not take relief

When taking relief you may use whatever club you wish to measure the one club distance.

EDIT: Not to forget its from nearest point of relief

 

[HickoryShaft]

From previous posts I have read I would also mention that relief is not always available due to a staked tree.

Needs to be in the local rules and most likely will be but not a given.

 

[jammag]

It all depends I dont think its in the spirit of the game but an official cant tell you how to play the shot. Good example I can think of was JB Holmes I think in the matchplay in Arizona got relief from a bush due to some reason dropped it next to a water sprinkler then said he was going to play left handed and persuaded the official to give him extra relief from it.