Immovable object? Ground under repair question?

[Dave325]

I ran into a strange situation on the 11th hole last time out.  I teed off on the par 5, where my ball came to rest in the middle of a downed tree that was in the course. The tree was clearly cut down and in the process of be cleared. My ball came to rest in an unplayable lie between the logs and branches (keep in mind that this is on the fairway). Trying to play the game and observe the rules.... I played it as GUR and dropped he ball from shoulder height to a place about 10 feet away and no closer to the hole. This was the closest location where a playable lie is possible. Was I correct in doing this?

[ColinL]

You  were right to consider the fallen tree to be GUR as it was in the process of being removed.  Your correct action was to  determine the nearest point not nearer the hole where there was no interference from the bits of tree and drop within one club length  of that point but not nearer the hole than it.   No penalty.

Perhaps that’s what you did but you would do well to take a look at the Definition of Nearest Point of Relief and the procedure for taking relief from an abnormal ground condition in Rule 25-1b

Edited February 5, 2016 by ColinL

[Fourputt]

It's difficult to know if what you did was exactly right.  You were entitled to relief for lie, stance and area of intended swing.  It's worth mentioning that the rule does not entitle you to an unobstructed line of play.  If the nearest point of relief plus one clublength does not give relief for line of play then you still have to deal with that.  

See Decision 25-1b/2 for further explanation on locating the NPR.