The Rules of Golf can be complex and sometimes confusing, but thankfully, the Rules Guy is here to help with all your questions and concerns. In a recent query, a golfer asked about taking free relief when their ball was near a newly planted, unstaked young tree on the course. The Rules Guy explained that a local rule, Model Local Rule E-10, treats young trees as no-play zones to protect them from damage. However, it is up to the Committee to enact such a rule and designate which trees are protected. If the Committee has not done so, there are no provisions in the rules that allow for free relief in this situation. The golfer could choose to declare the ball unplayable and take penalty relief if they are concerned about damaging the tree.
In another scenario, a golfer playing in a member-member tournament found their ball behind a memorial tree, with the tree obstructing their path to the green. The golfer requested free relief, arguing that the memorial tree was not part of the course design. However, the request was denied, and they were informed that the only immovable obstruction and abnormal course condition that would allow for free relief was the adjacent memorial stone. The Rules Guy confirmed that if the memorial tree was not designated as a no-play zone by the Committee, then relief would only be granted for the memorial plaque itself.
If you need help navigating the rules of a specific course, consider getting a custom Green Book from Golf Logix to aid in your decision-making on the greens. And if you have any questions or concerns about the Rules of Golf, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Rules Guy at rulesguy@golf.com. He’s here to help clarify any confusion and provide guidance on how to play by the book while on the course.
