A couple weeks ago I made a post regarding our local rule about tree root relief.
In that spiel I was presenting a position that 'maybe' we should modify the rule to provide for a larger drop area.
The primary reason why I started the discussion was because I had heard, without specifics, that some members were possibly 'exploiting' the rule to their advantage, in that they were either a) taking relief from non-existent roots or b) taking a drop that was not per the rule.
The first part (non-existent roots) is so subjective, because if there are roots in close proximity, I think we have to give that decision to the player. Could you imagine telling a competitor "no relief for you", and so they play it as it lies and..ooops..hit a root and hurt themselves?
I was focused on the second part - the drop area. My thinking was if we make the drop area a bit more 'normal' (a 180 degree club length), the player may indeed be able to extract an advantage (i.e. take a tree out of play), but at least we might eliminate one area of contention.
Well, speaking of 180 turns, I now think we should eliminate the local rule completely. If a player's ball is clearly unplayable embedded in tree roots, or if a player believes there may be some hidden roots near their ball, the rules of golf provide for this situation - declare your ball unplayable, and take the relief (with penalty) as provided under that rule.
Your thoughts?
Please comment.
Jeff
PS: If your ball was here, what would you do? Take free root relief, and drop where? Take an unplayable? Play it?
I would take free relief one club length, no closer to the hole.
ReplyDeleteWith the flagstick in the front (to the right in the pic) one-club length staying in line with the flag will still be in the roots. You would need to go a couple club lengths back to find relief from the roots, and then you are on the cart path, and a new relief situation presents itself.
DeleteOne other thing I liked with this example pic is it shows how, if not for the roots, a player would have a pretty straightforward chip, and the tree would probably not be an issue. But when you go back inline with the flag, potentially to the other side of the cart path, that tree is now looking large in front of you. The free relief is possibly making your next shot much more difficult.
I suppose that rules of golf should prevail. But, we have lots of roots out there that'll come into play, and most players may try to play it as it lies to avoid the penalty, and hurt themselves.
ReplyDeleteI think all tree wells contain roots and should be allowed free relief.
ReplyDelete