Jim bombs a huge drive , just off the right side of the fairway , slamming it into a tree ...Bob is standing under the tree , and sees it hit , deflect sideways and drop halfway to the ground ....stopping when it wedges between 3 small branches

Jim walks up and is informed by Bob that the ball sitting 15feet up is Jims ball

Now we all know that the ball doesnt need to be recovered , Jim can substitute a ball , and take relief under rule 28/c ....withen 2 clublengths of the spot on the ground directly below the ball

But Jim is a smart cookie , and recalls that after a horrid winter , the entire course is in shocking condition underfoot , so a local rule is in place giving placing "clean and place" through the green

Now if vertical distance isnt taken into account , and Jim is quite withen his rights to place his ball withen the allowed 6 inches from a spot directly under the ball.....what happens if he cant retrieve his ball ?