You're Correct!

If you are out on the golf course and hit your golf ball out of position, ending up against a tree, then you need to consider how you can take the fewest shots possible from that position to get the golf ball into the hole and make the lowest score possible.

In order to take the fewest shots possible when you are faced with the golf ball up against a tree, work on getting the ball into a position, where you will have an easy next shot to play. This may mean that you actually need to play the shot sideways or even backwards down the hole, rather than forwards towards the target. Position your body so that you can make a back swing and a follow through. These do not necessarily need to be full swing actions. The length of the back swing and follow through will be dependent upon the shot length that is required. But ensuring that you can move the club back and forth unhindered is the key to being able to strike the ball into the best position to play the rest of the hole from.

If you find the golf ball in a position against a tree where you cannot take your usual address position up because of the ball/tree positions, then you could consider playing the shot back handed. Stand on the opposite side of the golf ball to usual and simply turn the golf club over. If you are right handed and you usually address the ball with the club on the right of it, stand on the opposite side of the ball and turn the club over so that the face is on the left side of it. Use a short back swing and follow through to allow you to control the club head movement and work on striking the ball cleanly.

Alternatively, you could stand with your back to the direction you want the ball to fly in and play the shot one handed. Hold the club in your right hand so that the face is aiming where you want the golf ball to go and stand with your back to this direction so that the ball is on your right hand side. Make a short swing so that the club head moves away from the ball and target, forward of how you are standing. Then swing the club head back towards the ball and through it so that the club head travels towards the target and behind you.

Never play any golf shot without a back swing. You need to make a movement with the club head away from the golf ball, however small, to make a legal golf stroke. No back swing and simply pushing the golf ball forward with the club head is an illegal shot and you will incur a penalty shot for doing this.

Playing your golf shots towards the target when you are out on the golf course will definitely help you to achieve a low score. However, there will be situations where playing towards the target is too high risk and will actually cause you to take more shots than are necessary. Assess each situation that you find yourself in and play the shot that will allow you to achieve the lowest score.

You will undoubtedly find that at times, when you are out in the golf course, you have hit your golf ball out of position and into trouble. If you always take a penalty drop from every situation then you may not be playing aggressively enough. Consider all the options and if you can move the ball without taking the drop then play the shot.