Golf: Is there a penalty for deliberately hitting a tree / branches as part of a practice swing?

Question

When "in amongst" tress, is it lawful to hit trees / branches deliberately during practice swings or does this contravene 13-2? (Yeah, I know you don't want to bust your clubs!)

Answer 1

If during a practise swing if you hit a tree or branches there is no penalty unless it improves your lie, then there is a penalty stroke.

Answer 2

Not unless you break branches. It's a penalty if a branch falls on your actual shot.

Answer 3

I think in strick rules sense it's improving lie. So, there's a penalty for it. I think pretty badly like disqualify. That is if you're intentionally breaking the branch while practicing swings. But, if you unintentionaly broke the branch hitting your shots, it's a two strokes penalty each.

Golf is intent to keep the trees and its branches the way it was before you were hitting your shots.

That's why hitting from bed of roses are prohibited. It's a free drop.

Answer 4

You're not allowed to intentionally bend or break anything fixed or growing.

Answer 5

There is a distinction between just hitting them (no penalty) and dislodging leaves/branches (penalty).

So be careful w/ "deliberately" hitting them.

Answer 6

Just touching them in a practice swing I don't think is a problem, but deliberately smashing them to get them out of the way (or break them off), would be improving your lie and a penalty.

Answer 7

If you were to displace or break branches, then you would be penalized. I don't think just hitting them without improving your lie would be a problem.