I've often considered throwing a leaf blower on the cart.  But yes - leaf rule when and where applicable.

Ya my last round in NC had many hills, trees and leaves to contend with and wish I could have used the leaf rule.  My group was in a heated battle so we were forced to take penalty strokes but it is unfortunate with the leaves the ball wasn't easy to find.  I only had one ball towards water hazard and I'll take my lumps on that one but it pains me when I have to take a lost ball and it is most likely still in play.  

Leave rule is a standard in the northern part of the country come October.  Especially for those of us who tend to play out of the rough (the area they blow ALL the leaves too).

Already looking forward to next season.....

I agree with the leaf rule if the ball lands in an area where you would typically find it. That's the way my group plays during the fall/winter months.

IMHO....I have no problem with not going back to the tee or last point shot was taken from in order to speed up play, but I think you should take a stroke.  It's not fair to your playing partners that you get a free drop after hitting an errant shot.  After all, if you hit your ball into a natural area or very high rough in the summer and could not find it, would you take a free drop then?

Who says it has to be an errant shot?  I've had balls that should be in the fairway or just off the edge that were never found.  Depending where you play, there could be a lot of trees and a lot of leaves.  Add the angle of the sun this time of the year in the Northeast, and I have no issue with the leaf rule, if done with "honor."  If you hit to an area you almost certainly would have found it in the summer, you get a free drop.  Speeds up play and makes it more fun for everyone.  If you're playing for a spot on the PGA Tour next year, then by all means, play to the letter of the rules.

Who says it has to be an errant shot?  I've had balls that should be in the fairway or just off the edge that were never found.  Depending where you play, there could be a lot of trees and a lot of leaves.  Add the angle of the sun this time of the year in the Northeast, and I have no issue with the leaf rule, if done with "honor."  If you hit to an area you almost certainly would have found it in the summer, you get a free drop.  Speeds up play and makes it more fun for everyone.  If you're playing for a spot on the PGA Tour next year, then by all means, play to the letter of the rules.

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We also play the leaf rule, but with one amendment- your opponent must grant you the drop.  I have seen a ball just off the fairway be lost.  We've also found several other balls in the same spot.  In the summer this wouldn't be an issue at all.  No errant shot required. 

Most clubs will allow a "leaf rule" as they tend not to be able to keep up with the leaves that fall onto the course.  I am not a fan of modifying the rules, so I am not a fan of the "leaf rule".  However, I understand that many clubs lose their summer help as many go back to school in the fall.  It boils down to a personnel issue for the course - the leaves just outnumber the the people to pick them up!

Play by the rules - If you hit a ball and cannot find it, that is the rub of the green.  Complain to your superintendent, but don't change the rules!

tdogg21,

Trust me, I have no delusions about playing on the PGA Tour, or any other tour for that matter.  The only reason I said "errant shot" was because most of the time falling leaves tend to accumulate in the rough (at least at the courses I play). Now,based on the majority of the replies to this post, it sounds like everyone in the northeast plays the leaf rule.  On the other hand, I’m from the mid-west and have never played by the leaf rule (actually, never heard of it until this post).  When I learned the game, losing a ball in the leaves was just treated as a lost ball and you took your drop & stroke and moved on (maybe it’s just a regional thing).  So to all you northeast TT members, play on and may you not need to invoke the leaf rule!

Oh, by the way, in the mid-west we also have our fair share or trees, leaves and the not so fun fall sun angle.

I understand what you are saying and I understand a lot of peoples view that losing a ball in the leaves is just part of the game.  But where I live, that would drive you to never play golf after Labor Day.  A couple of courses I regularly play are carved out of the Appalachian Mountains, with two actually in State Parks.  I have seen tee shots go straight down the middle of the fairway and be lost in the leaves.  For us, it comes down to enjoying our round a little more.

Right on!  Here in New England, with low sun angles and multicolored leaves blowing on and off fairways, common sense and the leaf rule are essential.  Just two days ago, after a weekend wind storm on a bright sunny day, a normal 2 hours to play 9 holes was stretching to almost 2 and a half because of  ball hawkers.  Come-on guys, it's not like you bought the thing!  Most likely you dug it out of a pond or from under a rock last August!  The leaf rule should be part of local rules, bundled right in there with roots and rocks!  It's supposed to be fun, why break clubs, cause injuries or waste inordinate amounts of time ball hunting, especially if it's a "social" round?  

At this time of year, the NXT Tour in bright yellow really jumps out at you - great color makes finding it easier.  And the slightly softer ball works great on those cold mornings - provides great feel and feed back vs.the pro-line balls.  A little cheaper too if you lose one that you actually bought and paid for and that can make you feel better as well.

I disagree i played this past weekend, one of the guys hit it 3 ft from the fairway. We searched for 10 mins could not find it at all my ball was close to his landing area but in the fairway. There was tons of leaves it was not the greens keeper fault as we went out before his crew hand a chance to leaf blow. We all play by the rules 2 guys in the group are on the board. Pros have help when that hit a wayward shot we don't..