The Rules of Golf Are Complicated! Thankfully, we have the teacher. Our rules guy knows the book inside out. Have a question? He has all the answers.
To save yourself from having to take a fairway, is it legal to lean on a tree for support while hitting a ball on a difficult lie? -Jane Fussell, Arlington, Texas
Lean on the Rules Guy when you’re not sure and he’ll be your friend. He will help you to continue….
However, while you’re not allowed to accept physical assistance from another person to help make a stroke (Rule 10.2b(5)) or use other equipment for that purpose (Rule 4.3), relying on nature won’t get you into trouble here.
Please note: This applies to leaning on, for example, a strong oak tree that is supporting you, not a weak baby that you are leaning out of the way, which would be a different matter altogether.
For more tree tutorials from our teacher, read on…
If I remove leaves or break a branch on my way back, do I have a penalty? – Robert Santoli
If a tree falls and no one hears it, is it still a free obstacle? What is the sound of a hand measuring wind direction? We leave.
Rule 8.1b covers the actions you are allowed to take even if you improve one of the conditions affecting your stroke, and you will be pleased to know that there is no penalty if you break something that creates an improvement during a backswing for the stroke you continue to take.
Do you need a handicap? Start here.
Have a question about the Rules? Ask Guy Rules! Send your questions, confusion and comments to rulesguy@golf.com. We promise you won’t throw the book at you.
