Ball in tree

Question
My ball stop under a tree, Can I hold the limb back with my legs. what is the
rule.

Answer
John:

Good question.  Go to your Rule book (I assume you have one and if you don't go get one) and see Rule 13-2 Ball Played As It Lies.  When you read the rule, these are the ones that apply to your question:

A player must not improve or allow to be improved:
the area of his intended stance or swing

by any of the following actions:
moving, bending or breaking anything growing or fixed

However, the player incurs no penalty if the action occurs:
in fairly taking his stance

So, it looks like a judgement call on your part or your fellow competitors.  

Penalty for breach of this rule is 2 shots.  You do have the right to get in there and take a stance.  I am not sure it says anywhere that you can bend and tuck branches in and hold behind you with your legs, but again, looks like a judgement call.  If you break off something fixed or growing in your attempt to take your stance, that is a 2 shot penalty, no questions asked.  But otherwise, I'd say no penalty.  Try not to make it real obvious.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member