Hitting ball out of flower or cactus bed

[Marcos]

What is the ruling when hitting a ball that is close to flowers, cactus or branches etc... Is there a penalty if you break any leafs or flowers or cactus? Asking as i was watching a player close to cactus bush, and when he hit it, he broke a piece of the cactus. Is there a penalty here? Thanks.

[AAA]

What is the ruling when hitting a ball that is close to flowers, cactus or branches etc... Is there a penalty if you break any leafs or flowers or cactus? Asking as i was watching a player close to cactus bush, and when he hit it, he broke a piece of the cactus. Is there a penalty here? Thanks.

Unless there is a Local Rule giving protection to the vegetation, then there is no relief from or penalty for hitting the vegetation.

However, if the cactus or flowers were broken off before the stroke was made In a practice swing say), there could be a penalty for improving the lie or area of swing.

[Marcos]

Unless there is a Local Rule giving protection to the vegetation, then there is no relief from or penalty for hitting the vegetation.

However, if the cactus or flowers were broken off before the stroke was made In a practice swing say), there could be a penalty for improving the lie or area of swing.

Thank you for explaining that. Makes sense now.

[stevek]

Was this thread in reference to the player on the European Tour yesterday that played out of flower bed? Because he was penalized by watching his ball roll off of green into the water...LOL

[Marcos]

Was this thread in reference to the player on the European Tour yesterday that played out of flower bed? Because he was penalized by watching his ball roll off of green into the water...LOL

No, it was at the Valero Texas open that i saw him. Dont remember his name but he made a great recovery shot from the cactus plant.