Ball Lodged In Tree

Chris Wallace, R&A Rules manager, explains your options should your ball ever get stuck up a tree.

- Chris Wallace

Justin Rose was a recipient of some less than good fortune during the second round of the recent Honda Classic at PGA National when, following a slightly errant tee shot, his ball got stuck in the trunk of a palm tree. Easily able to identify his ball from the markings which he had added before teeing off, Rose was then faced with the tricky decision of how best to proceed from there. So, what are a player’s options when their ball is in a tree or a bush above the ground?