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Playing out of the woods?

• bbbad 9 Posts

  Wed, Jul 24 2013 5:53 PM

  Does anyone have any tips for playing out of the woods? I'm playing #2 on Merion and hit my shot in the woods on the right side.  It isn't OB and the lie indicator shows 185-40/50%- So, instead of playing the suggested 4-I tried a punch 8-dinged it-hit something I couldn't see and was charged a lost ball.

  First question-is there some other view available to me so I might see the trouble of my lie?

  Second-Is there an unplayable option?

  Third-If there isn't an option, how many balls might I lose or how many strokes might it take me to get out of the woods?

  I didn't see a chainsaw or an axe in the pro shop.

  Thanks

• alosso 21,094 Posts

  Wed, Jul 24 2013 11:41 PM

  Invisible branches and other obstacles are on the courses sometimes, and Merion has an infamous reputation for lies with no escape.

  No options in this game, thus no unplayable. Only escape is an opt-out - "end round", "forfeit".

  Max strokes is six over par for each hole - 10 on a Par 4. An option to save balls and stay in the game is to take putter until you're saved.

  Rumour has it that they are working on a chainsaw, but development cycles are longish here sometimes :)

• bbbad 9 Posts

  Thu, Jul 25 2013 10:01 AM

  Thanks for the reply!

  I was afraid I was going to find out that the only option was to "play on" as you suggest. Though expedient to forfeit-like most people I'd rather play out of the trouble, but "invisible" branches are hard to manage around.  Besides, if I'm going to take a ten on a hole I want to do it the old fashion way, by my own sheer stupidity.

  Finally, I guess I'll write the R&D department and plead that they get moving on the chainsaw option. I wonder if that would be considered an "accessory"?

• alosso 21,094 Posts

  Thu, Aug 1 2013 4:11 AM

  LOL - I wonder if the R&A would approve such accessory?

• YankeeJim 25,827 Posts

  Thu, Aug 1 2013 5:07 AM

  bbbad:

  Does anyone have any tips for playing out of the woods? I'm playing #2 on Merion and hit my shot in the woods on the right side.

  Heh, ask Tiger how to get out. Got him a double bogey on the last round of the Open there.

  Generally from those lies a right angle exit to the fairway is all you're going to have a chance at pulling off. Too easy to say stay out of there but if you do find yourself there again, try punching a wedge after aiming 90 degrees or so to your left in the fwy.