Trees Impeding on or Being In the Fairway

[disco111]

If this subject has been explored before, just disregard. We have a few courses in the area, that for some unexplained reason, the designer decided to leave a rather large tree or even a group of trees, smack dab in the middle of the fairway, Everyone of these holes starts their dog leg there. So what's your opinion(s)

[DrvFrShow]

You have to play either to the right or left of the tree. It will give you a choice as to your approach.

[dkolo]

You have to play either to the right or left of the tree. It will give you a choice as to your approach.

Yeah, it's a loaded question. You don't get penalized for being in the fairway, you get penalized for being in front of a tree. Plan accordingly.

[bradsul]

I've played a few courses with similar features.  It's certainly cause for a bad word or two when it happens but ultimately I'm the one who hit the ball there.  Sometimes it means a hero shot hitting a low punchy cut to get on the green, sometimes it means taking your medicine and laying up into a better position.

Personally I like features like that in courses if they're done well.  They make a course more unique and interesting.

[newtogolf]

My home course has one hole with a very large tree right in the middle of the fairway.  The membership is divided as to whether this adds or detracts from the golfing experience.  In fairness to the designers, the fairway around the tree is quite wide so there is plenty of room to land your drive on the fairway and have a good 2nd shot.   Longer hitters are more impacted as they have to pick a side to hit or they will hit into the tree branches.

I think the tree adds character to the hole, without it the hole would be too easy to play, especially in relation to the other 17 holes on the course.

[billchao]

Yeah, it's a loaded question. You don't get penalized for being in the fairway, you get penalized for being in front of a tree. Plan accordingly.

Exactly. It's no different than being in the fairway short of a dogleg and having to work around a group of trees or something. Just because the grass is mowed shorter doesn't guarantee a good opportunity at the next one.

[Golfingdad]

My home course has one hole with a very large tree right in the middle of the fairway.  The membership is divided as to whether this adds or detracts from the golfing experience.  In fairness to the designers, the fairway around the tree is quite wide so there is plenty of room to land your drive on the fairway and have a good 2nd shot.

Just ask the glass-half-empty members if they'd prefer the greenskeeper let the grass on one side of the tree grow long and call it rough? It's all perspective. ;). The goal is one side of the tree. If I miss and go on the other side or under the tree, am I happier with a lie in buried rough or on short fairway grass???

[JonMA1]

Maybe I'm missing something or I'm not familiar enough with what constitutes good or poor course design, but golf courses are supposed to have a degree of difficulty. Of the two courses I play most often, there are four holes with a tree right smack in the middle of the fairway.

Why is this any different than shooting over a water hazard or trying to avoid a fairway bunker? I'm not trying to be a smart-ass, I honestly don't understand wanting to change the way a course is laid out for the sake of making it easier.

[newtogolf]

Maybe I'm missing something or I'm not familiar enough with what constitutes good or poor course design, but golf courses are supposed to have a degree of difficulty. Of the two courses I play most often, there are four holes with a tree right smack in the middle of the fairway.

Why is this any different than shooting over a water hazard or trying to avoid a fairway bunker? I'm not trying to be a smart-ass, I honestly don't understand wanting to change the way a course is laid out for the sake of making it easier.

I agree, the tree was designed as part of the courses defense and requires the golfer to go under, over or around it in order to score lower.

[Shorty]

If you hit a ball into trees it is not on the fairway.

Your job is to avoid tress.

[Ernest Jones]

If you hit a ball into trees it is not on the fairway.

BINGO!

[WUTiger]

In the Dallas area, I've seen several par 4 holes with a large tree blocking one half of the fairway about 300 yards from the tee. Not much trouble for the average golfer, but it can block the approach of big hitters.

[DrvFrShow]

We have a course that the 7th hole has a tall pine tree dead in the center of the fairway. It has "landscaping material" in the form of beauty bark around the base of it. You can choose your path, but it is easier if you hit left of the tree. Most people end up playing right of the tree.

Also sometimes there's a split fairway that can play either as a par 4 or a par 5 depending upon how they want to have the course layout.

[bubble]

best short par 4 (350 yards or so) in my club have a huge tree on the fairway. have to go short, or long or on the ope side. excellent design.

[cubdog]

If there are good viable options to reach the green in regulation I'm ok with certain oddities. Sometimes because of bad course architecture, we can be left with poor, possible unfair, options. I guess it all boils down to good architecture vs. bad. I hate gimmicks for the sake being unusual.

[Patch]

You play the course they way you find it. If a person feels slighted due to course/hole lay out(s), they can play somewhere else. Me personally I'd rather have a tree in the fairway, than a forced (long) carry over water.

I think any obstacle, for the most part, can be overcome with accurately working the ball, and if the golfer has enough distance to get the job done. If the golfer can't work the ball on demand, and they don't have long knocker distance, then they may have to take their lumps. (aka bogie +)

[Shorty]

You play the course they way you find it. If a person feels slighted due to course/hole lay out(s), they can play somewhere else. Me personally I'd rather have a tree in the fairway, than a forced (long) carry over water.

I think any obstacle, for the most part, can be overcome with accurately working the ball, and if the golfer has enough distance to get the job done. If the golfer can't work the ball on demand, and they don't have long knocker distance, then they may have to take their lumps. (aka bogie +)

Are you winding me up?

Even the double whammy is better than the triple.

[dunlucedreams]

its easy. aim straight at the tree.......guaranteed to miss it. i couldnt hit a cows arse with a banjo let alone at tree from 200+ yards