At Green Bay Country Club, we have approximately 100 acres of tree lined or woodland area.  However, much of that woodland area is on the perimeter of the golf holes and/or property, and not so much in the middle of the course.  There are only a few areas where trees play an integral part with play and safety, one area, in particular, is the rough berm in between #16 & #17 fairway (seen below). 

Those trees were planted several years ago and have matured to help prevent players from purposely or accidentally hitting their tee shots off of #16 and #17 tee into the neighboring fairway.  For the most part, the trees have flourished and have served their purpose, but one variety is starting to show some signs of decline, the ‘Skymaster’ English Oak.  The ‘Skymaster’ English Oak, is a wonderful tree but does much better a little farther south in its appropriate hardiness zone.  The hardiness zone pertains to a standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive in a certain location.

Since the trees between #16 & #17 fairway are important and play a part in playability and safety, I had Selner Tree, and Shrub Care assess all the trees and help come up with a recovery and protection plan.  The plan was simple, put 4’ radius mulch rings around all the trees.  The mulch rings will:

• Provide protection from mowers, string trimmers and golf clubs hitting the trees

• Allow an area for water, fertilizer, and pesticide applications to be applied without competition from the grass.

• Faster growth rate

From a playability standpoint, the mulch rings will also benefit players by helping them avoid those bottom of the trunk, blocked shots.

According to The USGA Rule Book under section 2G: No Play Zones states that it is part of the course where the Committee decides to prohibit play.  No Play Zones can be either within an abnormal course condition or a penalty area.  In this case, the No Play Zone is the mulch rings; which are to prevent damage to young trees, flower beds turf nurseries, re-turfed, or planted areas.

Therefore, if you land in a mulch ring, you get relief with a free drop within one club-length outside of the mulch ring, no closer to the hole.