Protecting Our Future: A Guide to the New Local Rule for Young Trees

At Drax Golf Club, our landscape is evolving. As you may have seen, our ambitious sustainability programme is now officially underway. Planting began yesterday, with approximately 500 new pine trees already established between holes 1 and 18. This is just the start of a wider initiative to introduce over 5,300 new trees and hedgerow plants to our course, in partnership with Humber Forest and The Conservation Volunteers (TCV).

To ensure these saplings have the best chance to thrive, the Committee has adopted Model Local Rule E-10 (Protection of Young Trees), effective immediately.

How to Identify Protected Trees

While our new additions are easy to spot, it is important to know exactly what is covered under this rule:

• Stakes and Deer Tubes: The majority of newly planted trees are identified by both a stake and a protective deer tube.

• Staked Trees without Tubes: Please note that other staked trees on the course—even those without deer tubes—are also designated No Play Zones.

• If in Doubt: If you are ever unsure whether a tree is protected, please treat it as a No Play Zone to help safeguard our investment in the course's future.

What This Means for Your Round

Because these areas are designated as No Play Zones, you must take free relief if your ball lies on or touches a protected tree, or if the tree interferes with your area of intended stance or swing. You are not permitted to play the ball as it lies.

How to Take Free Relief (Rule 16.1f)

Taking relief is straightforward and ensures both your game and the tree remain protected:

1. Find the Nearest Point: Locate the nearest point of complete relief from the tree that is no closer to the hole.

2. Drop Your Ball: Drop your ball within one club-length of that point.

3. Stay in the Relief Area: The ball must come to rest within that one club-length area.

Note: If your ball lies in a penalty area, you must either take free relief within that penalty area or proceed under Rule 17.1 with a penalty.

Play Fair, Play Sustainable

Please be mindful that playing from the wrong place in breach of this Local Rule carries the General Penalty (two strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play).

These trees represent a significant step forward in Drax Golf Club’s long-term sustainability goals. We appreciate the cooperation of all our members and visitors in helping us protect these young trees during this vital establishment period.

If you have any questions regarding the application of this rule, please feel free to speak with a member of the Committee.