Storm damage on course

[WUTiger]

A couple of years ago, I played golf at a public course the morning after a rainstorm.

On a par 3, a tree to the right of the white tees had partially snapped. A thick, leafy branch about 15 feet wide was hanging down between the tee blocks and the green.

What do the rules of golf say about this. Can the golfers tee up out to the left to avoid an obstruction unintended by the architect?

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by WUTiger

A couple of years ago, I played golf at a public course the morning after a rainstorm.

On a par 3, a tree to the right of the white tees had partially snapped. A thick, leafy branch about 15 feet wide was hanging down between the tee blocks and the green.

What do the rules of golf say about this. Can the golfers tee up out to the left to avoid an obstruction unintended by the architect?

No,  The course staff or tournament committee should be notified of the problem and determine a solution.  In a casual round,  I"d call the pro shop and let them know what the problem is and then my group would probably come up with it's own temporary fix if the shop didn't just tell us to move the tee markers.  In a competition, all players must play from he same tees unless it becomes absolutely impossible.  In that case the committee is the only entity which can authorize the change.