Fairways and branch obstructions

[TheNatural]

just new to the game and wondered if fairways are commonplace for low branches.

White tee's my dad hits 230-250 and sometimes I hit just 50!
I have a top issue. I hit 15 balls at range dead on and long. stepped off the range and moved my cart ,,returned to range and hit 5 straight duck hook and top.

finally got one to go clean again on range....and started my round



and stepped to 1st tee and topped 2.

It pisses me off. I dont know where the disconnect is for the range and the tee. As I type this post, I think its tempo. On the range I get the tempo down pat. On the tee I have to drive, iron, chip/putt. drive cart...

Then back to tee and address, all over and the tempo is lost. Make sense?>

Just a theory, but I dont slice one bit, carry on the range is either 280+ or 2 inches. I have topped balls into the ground that have even bounced backwards. When Im "on" its freakish, when Im off UGLY, THe driving range is next to the 10th tee and there was a parking lot of 3 4somes just watching me bomb balls over the range net. Then I lose it all on the course. I could be a 10HI if I could keep it going, but when you need the distance and you get a 50 yard top on a par 5, im hitting a 190 yarder to get on in 3. It killls my scores. When I do hit well off the tee, I can get on many par 5's in 2. Except the 620 yarder at Bulle Rock. Thats a full 3 strokes.

[Parker0065]

The par-5, 523 yard, 8th hole at my home course has a big tree right in the middle of the fairway 310 yards out. It's one of the best par 5's I've ever played. For the higher handicaps that hole is a nightmare, but if you can get the ball out there about 280-290 off the tee and stay to the left of the tree you can have a go at it with a mid or short iron. Basically the hole goes straight out about 425 yards then cuts back 90 degrees 100 yards to the left. The key is you have to get to the left of that tree in the fairway in order to have a shot at the green. A solid tee shot over 280 yards and you have a blind shot over a large group of trees protecting the green on the left. I hit driver and 8-iron from 160 yards there today(played down wind today) to the middle of the green.

Without that tree in the middle, that hole would lose all it's teeth! Trees are part of the game, as you play more and improve, the trees won't be so imposing!

[Fourputt]

Wouldn't this count as an "immovable obstruction" and entitle you to relief?

Huh???

Ever actually read the rules? If so, next time it would be advantageous to read the definitions in the front of the book first.

Obstructions An "obstruction" is anything artificial, including the artificial surfaces and sides of roads and paths and manufactured ice, except: a. Objects defining out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings; b. Any part of an immovable artificial object that is out of bounds; and c. Any construction declared by the Committee to be an integral part of the course. An obstruction is a movable obstruction if it may be moved without unreasonable effort, without unduly delaying play and without causing damage. Otherwise, it is an immovable obstruction.

Last time I looked, trees were not man made, they are a natural, growing part of the course.

Some courses do have trees planted in the middle of fairways. My home course has a par 4 with a huge cottonwood that blocks the approach for the entire left half of the fairway. You can't even punch under it because it sits on the edge of a pond that's about 90 yards across, so most any attempt at going under the tree will land in the water. If you get too aggressive with the tee shot down that side of the hole, the only shot you have is a pitch out from behind the tree. The hole is only 340 yards long, one of the better short par for holes I've played. You have to place your tee shot correctly not just bomb it as far as possible.

[Mr3Putt]

Trees are as much a part of the game as bunkers or water hazards. I can't tell you the number of times I've been behind/under them. I think the worse are the ones that restrict the backswing. Some of my "best" drives have put me in the worst places.

I like posting a nice score after getting stymied by an obstruction. Don't get mad, just accept the lumps and know it happens to everyone, not just you.

It's just the way it goes in this game.

You should get one of these for next time....

[TheNatural]

Sure I have had tree's at eye height in the rough. Just uncommon on a fairway.

Parker that hole sounds like one where you could cut the dogleg off the tee, it does sound awfully long to do so.


Bogey is good enough for me on any hole. The 94 I posted did lower my HI by .4

I have 2 scores left in my last 10 that are over hundred, 10th score and the 8th score(103 105) these were played 3 months ago. It seems the less I play the better I do.

[87vert]

A branch you say? I played at a course last year that had a god damn tree right smack dab in the middle of the fairway. And were not talking any small tree this thing was huge! elevated tee box fair way was gully (where the tree was) elevated green par4 about 240 yards.

I was playing Saturday and had the same thing. Tee shot went into the left rough in some tree's chipped back out and had a big tree blocking my shot to the green. Hit a sweet draw punch shot to get under and around the tree and on the green.

[TheNatural]

Just spoke to a guy who has worked in pro shops or on course's for 30 years and said there should not be anywhere in a fairway where a player should have to restrict his swing due to branches at eye level etc. Naturally a tree trunk would be an issue, but even he said the tree's he has seen in a fairway have been prune 15 feet and up.

He advised telling the pro shop, just to hear their response.

[EngineerGolfer]

Wouldn't this count as an "immovable obstruction" and entitle you to relief?

Trees are never an "immoveable obstruction" and you are never entitled to relief from them unless they are within an area marked "Ground Under Repair". What's more, you are not permitted to move the branches with your body to provide yourself with a better swing at the ball. I encounted a situation like this recently in a league match and my only option was to turn the club over and punch the ball out left-handed.

[Mr3Putt]

Just spoke to a guy who has worked in pro shops or on course's for 30 years and said there should not be anywhere in a fairway where a player should have to restrict his swing due to branches at eye level etc. Naturally a tree trunk would be an issue, but even he said the tree's he has seen in a fairway have been prune 15 feet and up.

I can show him about 500 examples where that's not the case.

Like it or not, trees can be placed anywhere at just about any height, with just about any trim level of the branches. Fair? Maybe not. Within the "rules"? Absolutely. You'll find many wide open courses that offer the tree free environment you prefer. Should they all be like that? What fun would that be? How about the courses that have bushes for the 150 marker? It's not a tree, but if your ball goes in it, your shot is still restricted. Play it where it lies, as it lies, regardless of any natural obstructions. Get creative with your escapes. It'll be OK.

[Fourputt]

Play it where it lies, as it lies, regardless of any natural obstructions. Get creative with your escapes. It'll be OK.

And use your head to plan your play before you take a swing and you won't have as many of those situations in the first place.

[TheNatural]

Ive played with the bush markers but they arent on the fairway.

Its just very rare i think to see this on any fairway. This course has no other hole with branches that are remotely close to a fairway, which is why he wants me to inform the proshop to see what they say.

[TheNatural]

and use your head to plan your play before you take a swing and you won't have as many of those situations in the first place.

"you want the impossible" (quoted by who to whom, what movie?)

[iWALK18]

Man this really burned you didn't it?

First of all, I didn't realize you were talking about trees impeding your swing, i thought you had trees "in play" in the sense of it blocking your shot.

I agree that trees that low over the fairway are kind of crappy, but again you have to deal with it. And I agree with others who have said that there is plenty of fairway out there for you to hit which is wide open.

And as for using a 60* because it is your "shortest club", that's not the right consideration. Choke down on a 7i if that's what you need to do to get it there... this is just another shot you need to get creative with. Conjuring a 60 yard shot with a back swing that stays below the shoulder is not difficult.

Or you could dive on the hand grenade for all golfers and bring some branch clippers with you. Its certainly a penalty, and potentially a crime, but you'll never have branch problems again...

[iWALK18]

"you want the impossible" (quoted by who to whom, what movie?)

Luke Skywalker to Yoda, Empire strikes back

"all too easy..."

[Mr3Putt]

And as for using a 60* because it is your "shortest club", that's not the right consideration. Choke down on a 7i if that's what you need to do to get it there... this is just another shot you need to get creative with. Conjuring a 60 yard shot with a back swing that stays below the shoulder is not difficult.

I read that as his 60 is the shortest (i.e. smallest) club, not necessarily the one that sends the ball the least distance.

One of us is right...

[TheNatural]

haha


So I guess Yoda would be a +54 HI


The 60* is the club, shortest in shaft length.

closed the club face down and punched it. No it didnt burn me but, Ive never seen branches like that. Just curious about the general opinions.

[iacas]

Just spoke to a guy who has worked in pro shops or on course's for 30 years and said there should not be anywhere in a fairway where a player should have to restrict his swing due to branches at eye level etc. Naturally a tree trunk would be an issue, but even he said the tree's he has seen in a fairway have been prune 15 feet and up.

The guy you talked to is a joke.

Again, 18th at Pebble Beach. Tree right in the middle of the fairway. Enjoy.

[TheNatural]

hes just interested to hear what the pro says, I have no issue saying something. His point is that the entire course has a 20-40 foot rough void of any overhanging branches at this height(that obstruct a fairway swing)
to specify....
Hes betting that the area has just been ignored and would be cut since the rest of the course is pruned somewhat tight. its not a knock against the course.