Hi Linda,
I had a query from a member re: staked trees and relief
available. He was upset because I took one club-length relief to the side of
the staked tree not nearer the hole (after determining nearest point of relief).
He believed I had to keep the tree in line with my ball and the pin.
Relief from staked trees is a local rule and my
understanding is that it is to protect young trees that are developing. If I
had gone back one club length keeping the tree in line with the pin my ball
would have had to (potentially) travel through the tree, possibly breaking or
damaging it and defeating the purpose of the relief being given. I told him I
would write to you to query this; he is happy to accept your response, as am I!
Many thanks again for your help clearing some of these rules
up.
Lou from Great Barrier Island, New Zealand
Dear Lou,
Every Rule that permits you to take relief requires that you
drop the ball within one club-length of the nearest point of relief that is no closer to the hole. There is no further requirement that you
stay behind a tree.
Your narrative would seem to indicate that your relief
procedure was correct. You found the nearest point of relief, and dropped
within one club-length of that spot. It is highly unlikely that the correct
relief procedure will place you behind the tree for your next shot.
Please read Ask Linda #494, in which I explain how to take
relief from a staked tree (http://lindamillergolf.blogspot.com/2012/07/ask-linda-494-choice-of-npr.html).
Linda
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