golf: penalty srokes

Question
My ball came to rest in the boughs of a spruce tree next to the green.  The ball was lodged above my head - reachable with a club - and was clearly my ball.  Is this an unplayable lie?  Where should the point of relief be once the ball is gotten out of the tree?  This happened in my foresome today.  Help?

Answer
Dear Frank, thanks for the question.  I spent last week traveling for work, so I apologize for the delay.  Rules are my favorite to answer and this is no exception.  Your first question of whether or not that lie is unplayable is entirely up to you.  I know that sounds funny, but only you can determine if you can play it or not.  Once you've deemed it unplayable, which you likely would 99% of the time, then you can proceed under Rule 28/11 and drop within 2 clubs lengths from the spot directly below where the ball was lodged in the tree, with one penalty stroke.  This could include the putting green if in fact the ball lodged in a branch hanging over that green. As you mentioned, it is critical that the ball is identified as yours, otherwise other rules would have to be in effect as well.  Good luck, thanks again, and remember...


Love the game,
skipper