The tree below is located on the right of the 4th fairway on the Abbotts.  Together with a about 5 friends it is beginning to cause problems to the hole.  The Cockspur Thorn as the name suggests has a vicious spike. This makes cutting and playing round the tree very difficult.

Cockspur Thorn

  In Autumn we are planning to review areas of planting just off the fairway in the cut rough on all parts of the course.  As plantations get bigger so the trees begin to encroach on the line of play.  Were once the tree sat within the longer rough it is now hanging over in-play areas and beginning to move towards the fairway.

  There is a good deal of poor tree planting within the rough, so our first job will be to clear poor, weak and diseased trees before carefully selecting trees to thin out.  Our overall aim is to maintain the current vista, whilst keeping trees away from play and filling in some of the weaker areas of planting.

  A tree, unlike rough, or even a bunker is a three dimensional hazard. Any ball located behind a tree has limited chance to move forward.  Where a bunker may incur a 1/2 shot penalty a tree will cost you at least 1 and sometimes more than 1 shot.  On a small compact site like ours we need to ensure we use the trees to frame the hole but not allow them to interfere to much with play.

  A perfect example can be seen below taken of the 6th hole today.  The trees create a beautiful back drop to the hole whilst being mainly out of play.  We already have 3 bunkers, rough and a pond and anything more would create a messy hole.

6th Abbotts