Here's the scenario:

We are using a temporary hole for an event. One side has a OB creek (with a paint line) down the left side. The right side has a line of trees (maybe 15 or 20 trees spaced about 30 - 40 feet apart) all the way down to the basket. Players must stay between the trees and the creek all the way to the pin. The fairway is sort of a question mark shape, which could entice players to cut a corner and try to go through the tree line on the right and have their disc come back into the fairway farther down.

My question is: Do I need to mark each individual tree (on the right side of the fairway) as a mandatory and mark a drop zone for each tree, or can I just declare that if a player passes on the wrong side of a tree, they are OB at that point, and the result of the throw is mute? There will be a paint line at the base of the tree line all the way to the basket.

I would think marking a mando tree where the fairway starts creating the top of the question mark maybe 2/3 of the way to the pin would be enough. No one could cut to the pin early. Once the player passes this proposed mando, why wouldn't be OK for them to go for the pin on the inside route at that point? Sounds like there's enough risk to make that shot over OB territory anyway at that point.

If you intention is to prevent people from throwing to the right of one tree and coming in later past another tree, you need to declare that each tree is a mandy. Simply painting the OB line will not prevent this as the player needs only to land on the good side of the line.

I would say keep the paint line since you want that area to be OB, and declare each tree to be a mandy. I would recommend tying a ribbon or something around each tree and telling the players to use the default drop zone if they miss one of the mandies so you don't have to paint 20 zones.

Hmmmm.....now that I think about it it would be better to mark all the DZs. Maybe with irrigation flags. Make sure you explain it well at the Players Meeting and maybe post a sign at the tee box reminding everyone how the hole is played. That with a line trees each with a ribbon around it and an irrigation flag DZ next to it should make it easy for the players to play it correctly. :)

According to the current rules, No.

A disc in flight can not be declared OB.

Painted lines at each tree are not required unless you want to be more restrictive than the default drop zone.

C. A disc that has missed the mandatory results in a one-throw penalty and the next throw shall be made from the drop zone, as designated for that mandatory. In cases where the drop zone is not designated, the lie is marked within five meters of the mandatory object and one meter behind the mandatory line which extends from the correct side of the mandatory.



Each tree should be marked with tape.

You may want to paint a mando line in the case of a question mark shape since the default mando lines probably won't work for you.


(2) If no line is marked, the mandatory line is defined as a straight line through the mandatory, perpendicular to the line from the tee to the mandatory.

At the curved point of the question mark would be a good place for a mando tree, but on the OB side of this area, there is a picnic table with a fire pit/grill. There won't be anyone at this picnic area (we will have it reserved/blocked), but I want players to stay on the creek side of the tree line all the way to the pin. No cutting the corner. Lefties and RHFH throwers will not have many problems, but RHBH and LHFH throweres will want to cut the corner every time. The difficulty of the hole comes from following the fairway.

If you do the 2/3 tree, then also marking the last tree before the pin should seal the deal.

IF I remember correctly, that's how I did it 2 years ago. Seems like there wasn't too much trouble or confusion on that hole, except for the guy that had already lost several discs and strokes on the previous holes then exploded when he went in the drink again. :p

As a designer I applaud the intention but would object to heavy handed tactics to make every tree a mando to force this line of play down people's throats unless there's a safety issue. Even the RHBH shots sound treacherous even if they could go around a tree over OB risking not getting back in or skipping OB all the way on the left side of the fairway. A couple mandos should be enough to get the effect you're looking for. Let us know how it comes out, assuming you survive the ordeal... :eek:

:confused: Survive? That's our whole focus up here in the Panhandle! ;) Between Spring snow, tornadoes, high wind, and whatever else Ma Nature throws at us, we've had survival beaten into us! :D

If you can survive that weather, then surviving the wrath of the players is nothing then. :D

I still have not figured out a good strategy for playing this hole! A 4 is no picnic and a 3 takes 2 WELL placed shots...and probably a longer putt on top of that. Maybe this year I can prevail against "The Bender" :confused:

"The Bender" hole will be a nice prelude to this "*******". Get the Birdie on "The Bender", then settle in for a battle on the "*******". A well placed drive will put you in position for an approach that curves the opposite from the drive. Kyle N. nearly canned a 2 a few weeks ago! But then again, he is "King Daddy"!!!

I walked around a bit this evening, studying different angles. You're right Chuck, I think 1 marked mando tree will work. There might be a few situations where a player might cut one or two trees trying to get close to the mando tree, but there won't be any noticable gain from that. In fact, I am going to lobby for expanding the landing area on the right side (tree side) of the fairway. Landing in this area will not make the hole any easier, but will bring a few extra tree hazards into play on the 2nd shot for those that venture into that area.