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April 2018

Protection of Young Trees & Relief from Tree Stumps

TEMPORARY LOCAL RULE

 

Following the clearing/cutting of numerous trees in the 2017/2018 winter, we are implementing a temporary local rule to cover where stumps may interfere with a players swing. 

 

Any players ball coming to rest where a tree has been removed but impedes their swing may take relief, so long as the stump in question is no higher than 1 driver length (excluding headcover). ​The ball may be dropped in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Rule 24-2b (Immovable Obstruction).

Protection of young trees identified by stakes. If such a tree interferes with a player’s stance or area of his intended swing, the ball must be lifted, without penalty, and dropped in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Rule 24-2b (Immovable Obstruction). If the ball lies in a water hazard, the player must lift and drop the ball in accordance with Rule 24-2b(i), except that the nearest point of relief must be in the water hazard and the ball must be dropped in the water hazard, or the player may proceed under Rule 26. The ball may be cleaned when lifted under this Local Rule.

Exception: A player may not obtain relief under this Local Rule if (a) interference by anything other than such a tree makes the stroke clearly impracticable or (b) interference by such a tree would occur only through the use of a clearly unreasonable stroke or an unnecessarily abnormal stance, swing or direction of play.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF LOCAL RULE:

 

Match play – Loss of hole; Stroke play – Two strokes.

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