First off, can I get a clarification of casual water. It is not usually an issue for most of the courses I play on, but with the snow melt, a dried-up creek has turned into a pretty formidable water hazard. Since the water is not usually there, is it considered casual water and relief can be granted?

In regards to Rule 803.05B B. "Obstacles Between the Lie and Hole: A player may not move, alter, bend, break, or hold back any part of any obstacle, including casual obstacles, between the lie and the hole, with one exception: A player may move obstacles between the lie and the hole that became a factor during the round, such as spectators, players� equipment, open gates, or branches that fell during the round. Where it is not known if an obstacle has become a factor during a round, it shall not be moved. It is legal for a player�s throwing motion to make incidental movement of an obstacle."

Does a player incur a penalty stroke for moving tree branches when attempting to get to his/her disc? Or do you need to approach the disc from the back to avoid such a penalty?

Moving anything between the lie and the hole that is not known to have become a factor during the round is a penalty.

You shoul always approach your lie from the side or back.

Intentionally creating a throwing lane by approaching your lie from the target side through an obstacle is cheating and should be punished as such.

Casual relief is the first playable spot behind the lie and on a line with the lie and the basket and no more than 5 meters away. If the water is casual then you may certainly use it in that case but realize that if you cannot find a lie on a line with the basket within 5 meters that is playable then the casual lie relocation option will not help you in those cases. Your choice in that case, either play the lie where it lies or take a stroke penalty and re play it from your previous lie.

All water is casual until the TD or course designer designate it as OB.