staked tree

When playing this weekend ,I sliced my tee shot right and it ended up with a staked tree 18" to the right of my ball as you look towards the flag , this would not have been a problem, but for a tree 6 feet in front of me, so my only shot was to go sideways back onto the fairway,which meant I was entitled to a free drop,because the staked tree was now in my swing line.

After taking a free drop I now had a line towards the green, and played my next shot on this line.
My playing partner thinks that as I had decided to play the ball sideways before the drop , then I should have still played the ball sideways after the drop.

Who is right?

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STAN THE MAN

You are correct. Your friend obviously has never read the rule book. It is amazing how many people actually believe what your friend has stated.

I can not quote exactly from the rule book, but I have had this argument on more than one occasion during tournaments and the club pro has always agreed that a free drop will allow you to change shot selections.

You are correct and the decision that refers to this is 24-2b/6 and 24-2b/7


24-2b/7
Q. A Player's ball lies behind an immovable obstruction. The obstruction interferes with the player's swingand also intervenes on his line of play. In obtaining relief from interference with his swing, must the player drop the ball in such a position that intervention on the line of play is maintained.

A. No. Since the obstruction interferes with the player's swing, the player is entitled to relief under Rule 24-2b. If, in proceeding under this Rule, the player could drop the ball in a place which would also avoid intervention on his line of play, he is entitled to do so.

Thanks to Yohead and Gord 962, for clearing that one up.