Hi guys,
What’s the ruling when a ball gets caught in a tree?

Cheers

You need to answer two questions please.
Can you see it?
Can you identify it as yours?

We can see the ball, but maybe too high to identify? How about both scenarios, can and cant identify it?

Declare it unplayable ….shake the shit out of tree and get the ball down…...if its yours you can use any of the 3 options under rule 28 .....taking the point on the ground directly under where the ball was suspended as the point of reference for any drop

If it wasnt yours …bugga …..keep looking

If it wasnt yours but another ball falls out , that was yours …..you take a penalty shot for causing the ball to move ….then proceed under rule 28 ….

If you KNOW its your ball but cant retrieve it , you can substitute a ball under rule 28

If you cant identify it ….its a lost ball …....

More or less

1. Can you find and identify it?

If yes, go to 2. If “no”, the ball is lost. Proceed under Rule 27.

2. If you have found and identified it, your options are to hit it out of the tree, or take an unplayable ball.

For an unplayable ball, mark the spot as near as possible to directly below the location of the ball, and follow the options in Rule 28.

27/14 Ball in Tree Identified But Not Retrieved

Q. A player’s ball is lodged high in a tree. He identifies it with the aid of binoculars but is unable to retrieve it. Is the ball lost, in which case the player must invoke Rule 27-1?

A. No. Since the ball was identified, it was not lost — see Definition of “Lost Ball.” The player may invoke the unplayable ball Rule (Rule 28).

27/15 Ball in Tree Visible But Not Identifiable

Q. A player is certain that his ball is lodged high in a tree. He can see a ball in the tree, but he cannot identify it as his ball. Is the player’s ball lost, in which case he must proceed under Rule 27-1?

A. Yes.

28/11 Ball Unplayable in Tree and Player Opts to Drop Within Two Club-Lengths

Q. A player’s ball is eight feet off the ground, lodged in a tree. The player deems the ball unplayable. May the player proceed under option c of Rule 28 which permits him to drop a ball within two club-lengths of where his ball lay unplayable?

A. Yes. The player would be entitled to drop a ball within two club-lengths of the point on the ground immediately below the place where the ball lay in the tree. In some instances this may allow the player to drop a ball on a putting green.

18-2a/27 Ball Dislodged from Tree; Circumstances in Which Player Not Penalized

Q. A player whose ball is lodged high in a tree wishes to dislodge it by shaking the tree or throwing a club so that he can identify it and proceed under the unplayable ball Rule. Is this permissible?

A. Yes. The player should state his intention before taking such action to avoid any question being raised as to whether a penalty would be incurred under Rule 18-2a.

Declare it unplayable ….shake the shit out of tree and get the ball down……if its yours you can use any of the 3 options under rule 28 …..taking the point on the ground directly under where the ball was suspended as the point of reference for any drop

If it wasnt yours …bugga …..keep looking

If it wasnt yours but another ball falls out , that was yours …..you take a penalty shot for causing the ball to move ….then proceed under rule 28 ….

“If my ball is in this tree, I will proceed under Rule 28. (and incur no penalty under Rule 18 for causing to move while shaking the tree)”

The “insurance policy” that the player bought with his statement isn’t limited to the lone ball that he can see (assuming that he can see a ball).

You sure geek ????

Can you expand further on the 2nd paragraph ?

If the player believes his ball is in a tree, he does not have to actually see it to deem it unplayable before shaking it down, and if he deems it unplayable before shaking, there’s no penalty under 18-2a.

So if my ball enters a patch of mega thick rough ….I can declare the ball unplayable …..and stomp my way through the rough till I find the ball , then take a drop behind the rough avoiding penalty for moving the ball during the search….....

So if my ball enters a patch of mega thick rough ….I can declare the ball unplayable …..and stomp my way through the rough till I find the ball , then take a drop behind the rough avoiding penalty for moving the ball during the search……..

No.
If the player searches for a ball on the ground, he can not make the same statement to avoid penalty for moving the ball.
The logic from Decision 18-2a/27 is only for a ball lodged above ground in a bush or a tree.

“No” is the answer Id give to someone asking me the same question

I draw that analogy because its no different from dislodging a ball by shaking a tree

While its true you can declare the ball unidentified as unplayable and shake down without penalty….. you cant avoid penalty under 18-2a for a ball that “might” be up the tree ….

How is it different walking along a row of shrubs shaking each one , than it is stomping through deep rough ?

IMO he must see a ball to declare it

This implies a ball is visible IMO

I was in doubt as well, and asked the R&A about this exact situation – ball believed to be lodged in a tree, but the player can not see it because of rich foliage.

Answer:
If the ball is/the player believes the ball is in a restricted area above ground like a tree, the player does not have to actually see the ball to deem it unplayable before shaking the tree.
If the ball is moved by the shaking, the player incurs no penalty, if he subsequently proceeds according to Rule 28.

You sure geek ????

Can you expand further on the 2nd paragraph ?

I am sure.

I’m not sure what sort of expansion you are looking for (or whether it is still required in light of Rulesdoc’s comments).

I’d like to see a decision to back that up

Otherwise following the same logic ….if a player is sure his ball is in a small patch of deep rough he can stomp through it to find/retrieve it …...the ball more than likely will not be on the ground …..a ball in a bush is no different than a ball sitting up in grass

I agree with the principle though ….if the player is KVC the ball is in a specific spot but cannot see it ….then sure …..

But the idea does open a can of worms , I.E. shaking a branch , branch after branch ? bush after bush ?where does it stop ?

A ruling from the RBs is as good as a decision.
The only difference is that not as many people are aware of it.
But those who don’t read the decisions aren’t aware of them either.

The ruling has appeared on many boards now.

Eaiser not to hit it in the trees.

I’d like to see a decision to back that up

I would recommend then that you ask the R&A or USGA (depending on where you live) to clarify the matter. When they receive enough inquiries on the topic then they will likely do so.

I’d like to see a decision to back that up

Otherwise following the same logic ….if a player is sure his ball is in a small patch of deep rough he can stomp through it to find/retrieve it ……the ball more than likely will not be on the ground …..a ball in a bush is no different than a ball sitting up in grass

I agree with the principle though ….if the player is KVC the ball is in a specific spot but cannot see it ….then sure …..

But the idea does open a can of worms , I.E. shaking a branch , branch after branch ? bush after bush ?where does it stop ?

It stops after 5 minutes if I’m not mistaken….

;-)

Carry a chainsaw or play a links course…only have to carry a machete in your bag to slash through the scrub there!