Love them or hate them, it's no secret that Bondhay's Devonshire Course is known for its tree-lined fairways. Trees inevitably have exploratory roots that head out in search of water, nutrients and anchorage. Further to that, the greenkeepers have been working hard on thinning out some of the wooded areas of the course to improve playability and better develop each hole's microclimate with greater airflow and daylight. This sometimes means that tree stumps interfere with play until they are able to be removed.
These roots and stumps can prove an annoyance to golfers of all abilities, not to mention the risk of injury if having to play shots close to these obstructions. Stumps have generally been treated as Ground Under Repair (GUR) and roots have sat without a firm ruling until now.
Following general agreement within the Bondhay Committee and with approval from England Golf, the following rules are now in play on the Devonshire Course with immediate effect:
New Local Rule
All tree stumps are now classed as Abnormal Course Conditions / No Play Zone. Players must:
Relief From Tree Roots In Or Close To Fairway
Model Local Rule F-9
"If a player's ball lies 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 4 club-lengths from the edge of the area cut to fairway height or less, the tree roots are treated as ground under repair (GUR).
The player may take free relief under Rule 16.1b.
Relief is NOT allowed if the tree roots only interfere with the player's stance.
Rule 16.1b - Relief for Ball in General Area
If a player’s ball is in the general area and there is interference by an abnormal course condition on the course, the player may take free relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in this relief area (see Rule 14.3):
Work will continue to remove as many tree stumps as possible, whilst continuing to assess and remove additional trees where necessary. If you require any assistance or advice around the Local Rules we have at Bondhay Golf Club, speak to a member of our Pro Shop team who will gladly assist.
For more information around the rules of golf, visit the R&A's site.