Rule of the Week – Abnormal Course Conditions

Many members have been asking if you get free relief from tree roots on the golf course. The simple answer: there is no relief unless the tree root is within one club length of the fairway and interferes with where the ball lies. 

For a more detailed description, please see below the local rule:

5. Abnormal Course Conditions (Rule 16)

B. Exposed Tree Roots – If a player’s ball is in the general area and there is interference from exposed tree roots that are in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, or in the rough within one club length of the edge of the ground cut to fairway height or less, the tree roots are treated as ground under repair. The player may take free relief under Rule 16.1b. [But interference does not exist if the tree roots only interfere with the player’s stance.]

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