The Rules of Golf are tricky! Thankfully, we’ve got the guru. Our Rules Guy knows the book front to back. Got a question? He’s got all the answers.
To save yourself from having to take an unplayable, is it legal to lean on a tree for support while hitting a ball in an awkward lie? —Jane Fussell, Arlington, Texas
Lean on Rules Guy when you’re not sure and he’ll be your friend. He’ll help you carry on….
Anyway, while you are not allowed to accept physical assistance from another person to help make a stroke (Rule 10.2b( 5)) or use other equipment for this purpose (Rule 4.3), leaning on nature isn’t going to get you in trouble here.
Please note: This applies to leaning on, for example, a sturdy oak that is supporting you and not a skinny fledgling that you’re bending out of the way, which would be a different matter altogether.
For more tree-related guidance from our guru, read on …
If I dislodge leaves or break a branch during my backswing, do I incur a penalty? —Robert Santoli
If a tree falls and no one hears it, is it still a loose impediment? What is the sound of one hand gauging wind direction? We digress.
Rule 8.1b covers actions you’re allowed to take even if you improve one of the conditions affecting your stroke, and you’ll be pleased to learn that there is no penalty in the case of you breaking something that creates an improvement during a backswing for the stroke that you go on to make.
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Got a question about the Rules? Ask the Rules Guy! Send your queries, confusions and comments to rulesguy@golf.com. We promise he won’t throw the book at you.
