- Going back to the original spot of their last shot and hitting from there (kind of like a yellow-stake hazard)
- Taking a drop from the unplayable spot that is two clublengths and no nearer the hole
- Taking a drop from the unplayable spot that goes as far back as the player would like keeping the unplayable spot between them and the hole
What is the unplayable ball rule on the golf course?
If you are in a situation where you don’t want to or don’t think you can play your ball, you always have the option of taking relief under the unplayable ball Rule. The player is the only person who can decide that their ball is unplayable, and this can be done anywhere on the golf course except when your ball lies in a penalty area.
What to do if your ball is unplayable in golf?
If your ball is in a penalty area, your only relief option is to take relief under the penalty area Rule. When you decide that your ball is unplayable, you have three relief options, all for one penalty stroke. Your first option is to go back to the spot of your previous stroke and play again (stroke and distance relief).
How do you take an unplayable lie on the golf course?
There are three specific options when taking an unplayable lie. The first option is to go back to the point from where you played your last shot. The second option is to drop your ball within two club lengths of where the ball came to rest, without moving closer to the hole.
How do you decide if a ball is unplayable?
"The player may declare his ball unplayable at any place on the course except when the ball is in a water hazard. The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable.". In the rulebook in effect from Jan. 1, 2019, going forward, unplayable lies are covered under Rule 19, Unplayable Ball.
What happens if you don't want to play your ball?
What happens if your ball lies in a bunker?
What is the only relief option for a penalty?
About this website
What is the rule for an unplayable ball in golf?
Unplayable ball relief is allowed anywhere on the course, except in a penalty area. If a ball is unplayable in a penalty area, the player's only relief option is to take penalty relief under Rule 17.
Do you take a stroke for an unplayable?
a. The player may take unplayable ball relief for one penalty stroke under any of the options in Rule 19.2, except that: The ball must be dropped.
Where do I drop the ball for the unplayable lie?
The player is the only person who can decide that their ball is unplayable, and this can be done anywhere on the golf course except when your ball lies in a penalty area. If your ball is in a penalty area, your only relief option is to take relief under the penalty area Rule.
Can you take an unplayable lie anytime?
An unplayable lie can be declared anywhere on the golf course at any time, except in a water hazard. An unplayable lie can even be declared in a bunker, allowing a player to take a drop inside the bunker for a one-stroke penalty or take the ball out of the bunker for a two-stroke penalty.
How many penalty strokes do you get for a lost ball?
one-stroke penaltyIf a player hits a ball out of bounds or loses a ball, the general rules still require the player to return to the spot of the previous stroke and take a one-stroke penalty - a standard stroke-and-distance scenario.
What makes a ball unplayable?
Whether a Ball Is 'Unplayable' Is Solely Up to Golfer to Decide. Fact is, a golfer can declare any ball unplayable, at any time, for any reason, and anywhere on the course other than in a penalty area (a water hazard or any other area marked with red stakes or yellow stakes). The penalty is one stroke.
Is out of bounds a 2 stroke penalty?
Regardless of whether you choose to take relief, you must take a 2-stroke penalty. For example, if your drive went out of bounds, that is your first shot. Now, add two strokes for your penalty and your next shot after your new placement will be your fourth shot.
Do you get free relief from a tree?
No you do not always get relief from a staked tree. You will get relief from the stakes if they interfere with the lie of the ball, your stance or area of intended swing. Stakes are an immovable obstruction whereas a tree is a tree.
What if nearest point of relief is unplayable?
A player must drop within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, on whichever side of the path that is – even if it would mean dropping into an unplayable lie in a hedge or bush. If that were the case most golfers would elect to play the ball from off the path.
How many strokes is an unplayable?
If you find your ball in play, but in a circumstance where you are not able to make a swing or advance the ball, then you are always entitled to claim an unplayable lie. Under this rule, you incur a one-stroke penalty, but are permitted to take relief from your troubling situation.
How many club lengths do you need for an unplayable lie?
two club lengthsUnplayable ball If you declare your ball unplayable, you then have three options. First, you can go back to where you last played from under penalty of stroke and distance. The second option is to drop within two club lengths of where your ball is lying but no nearer the hole, again under penalty of one stroke.
Can you play out of a red hazard?
No matter the choice a golfer makes to take relief from a red-stake lateral water hazard, the golfer can lift and clean their ball out of the hazard (assuming they find it) or can put a new golf ball into play to replace the ball which went in the hazard.
Does an unplayable lie cost a stroke?
If you find your ball in play, but in a circumstance where you are not able to make a swing or advance the ball, then you are always entitled to claim an unplayable lie. Under this rule, you incur a one-stroke penalty, but are permitted to take relief from your troubling situation.
What do you do if your ball is unplayable?
If you declare your ball unplayable, you then have three options. First, you can go back to where you last played from under penalty of stroke and distance. The second option is to drop within two club lengths of where your ball is lying but no nearer the hole, again under penalty of one stroke.
Can you take an unplayable in a bunker?
Just as you would should you declare a ball unplayable in the rough or behind a tree, you can do so in a bunker. For a one stroke penalty, you are permitted to drop within two club lengths of your unplayable ball providing it is no nearer the hole and remains within the bunker.
Can you tee unplayable lies?
You must keep the point of the unplayable lie between you and the flagstick. 3. Return to the original point you hit the shot from and replay it. If you hit the shot from a tee, you may re-tee the ball.
Golf's Unplayable Ball Rule and Relief Options Explained
Lateral Relief. If you determine your ball is unplayable, your first option should be lateral relief. Utilizing this procedure will salvage more yardage than either of your other options, but depending on what is causing your ball to be unplayable in the first place, lateral relief might not be an option.
Misunderstood Rules 9: Unplayable Lie – Golf Rules Guru
Sorry – the 2 club lengths is from the position of the ball. If you are in the middle of a big bush you might need to take 2 club lengths sideways, drop the ball and then take another unplayable lie.
Rule 19 - Unplayable Ball - USGA.ORG
19.1 Player May Decide to Take Unplayable Ball Relief Anywhere Except Penalty Area . A player is the only person who may decide to treat his or her ball as unplayable by taking penalty relief under Rule 19.2 or 19.3.. Unplayable ball relief is allowed anywhere on the course Course: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee:(...Continued), except in a ...
What is an unplayable lie in golf, the penalty for declaring one and ...
That's why we have the ability to declare a ball or lie unplayable in golf as part of Rule 28. It's an opportunity for a player to declare that their ball has landed in a perilous spot, and they ...
How to take an unplayable lie?
There are three specific options when taking an unplayable lie. The first option is to go back to the point from where you played your last shot. The second option is to drop your ball within two club lengths of where the ball came to rest, without moving closer to the hole.
What are the rules of golf for lying?
Rules of Golf – Options for Unplayable Lies. If you find your ball in play, but in a circumstance where you are not able to make a swing or advance the ball, then you are always entitled to claim an unplayable lie. Under this rule, you incur a one-stroke penalty, but are permitted to take relief from your troubling situation.
What happens if you find your ball in a position where you cannot make a swing?
In summary, if you find your ball in a position where you cannot make a swing, or choose to take relief, you have the option to claim an unplayable lie. The penalty for doing so is one stroke.
a. Stroke-and-Distance Relief
The player may play the original ball or another ball from where the previous stroke Stroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. (...Continued) was made (see Rule 14.6 ).
b. Back-On-the-Line Relief
The player may drop Drop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play. (...Continued) the original ball or another ball (see Rule 14.3) in a relief area Relief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule.
c. Lateral Relief
The player may drop Drop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play. (...Continued) the original ball or another ball in this lateral relief area Relief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule.
How to claim an unplayable lie in golf?
You have 3 options if you are claiming an unplayable lie. Option #1: Go back to the point from where you hit your last golf shot from. Option #2: Drop the golf ball within a two club length distance of your unplayable lie and nearest point of relief without going closer towards the hole. Option #3: Draw a straight line from your unplayable golf ...
What is the unplayable lie golf rule?
The unplayable lie golf rule allows a player to incur a one-stroke penalty in exchange for taking relief from the obstacle or lie that is preventing your swing. A lot of times, taking the one-stroke penalty can actually save you strokes. Why?
What happens if you try to make a play on the ball in the difficult situation you found the ball in?
Because if you attempted to make a play on the ball in the difficult situation you found the ball in, odds are you could end up spending multiple strokes trying to get out of trouble, instead of just incurring the one stroke penalty.
Can you drop a golf ball from knee height?
Remember, new golf rules state that you must drop the golf ball from knee height if you are taking relief. Another tip when measuring your two club lengths in option #2 is to use your driver since it is the longest golf club in the bag. It’s a legal way of giving yourself more room if needed so you have more options of where to drop ...
Can you swing at the ball in golf?
In golf, you’ll likely find yourself in a situation at some point in time where you cannot make a swing at the ball. This could be your golf ball resting up against a tree or maybe it rolled inside of a bush. If you end up in a situation where your ball is still in play but you cannot make a swing at it to advance the ball, ...
Is it legal to drop the ball in a lie?
It’s a legal way of giving yourself more room if needed so you have more options of where to drop the ball during an unplayable lie situation. Overall, consider taking the one stroke penalty and improving your balls position so you can continue on hitting it towards the green.
What is the golf rule for unplayable balls?
Golf Rule 28, Ball Unplayable. 28-1. Unless his ball is in a water hazard, a golfer can declare the ball unplayable anywhere on the course. The player has complete discretion over this decision. To take relief from an unplayable lie, the player adds a one-stroke penalty and:
What is the unplayable ball in a bunker?
If the unplayable ball is in a bunker, the player may proceed under Clause a, b or c. If he elects to proceed under Clause b or c, a ball must be dropped in the bunker. When proceeding under this Rule, the player may lift and clean his ball or substitute a ball.
How to take relief from an unplayable lie?
To take relief from an unplayable lie, the player adds a one-stroke penalty and: Proceeds under the stroke-and-distance method (plays from a spot as close as possible to the original shot); or. Drops at a spot behind the unplayable lie, keeping that point between his ball and the hole.
What happens if you declare a golf ball unplayable?
If you declare the ball unplayable, you do so at the loss of at least one stroke.
What is the penalty for a ball unplayable?
The penalty is one stroke. In the rulebook in effect through the end of 2018, unplayable lies are covered under Rule 28, Ball Unplayable: "The player may declare his ball unplayable at any place on the course except when the ball is in a water hazard. The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable.".
Where can you take unplayable ball relief?
Under the heading "You May Decide to Take Unplayable Ball Relief Anywhere Except Penalty Area ," the rule states this: "You are the only person who may decide to treat your ball as unplayable. Unplayable ball relief is allowed anywhere on the course, except in a penalty area.".
Is a golf ball unplayable?
Whether a Ball Is 'Unplayable' Is Solely Up to Golfer to Decide. Fact is, a golfer can declare any ball unplayable, at any time, for any reason, and anywhere on the course other than in a penalty area (a water hazard or any other area marked with red stakes or yellow stakes). The penalty is one stroke. In the rulebook in effect through the end of ...
Is it counterintuitive to declare a ball unplayable?
The short answer: Yes. It's counterintuitive because declaring a ball unplayable when, in fact, the ball is eminently playable seems counter to the basic golf principle of "play it as it lies.". In the scenario described above, the golfer would remove the ball from the bunker, assess himself a one-stroke penalty, ...
What to do if you deem your ball unplayable?
Your first option if you deem your ball unplayable is to go back to where you hit the previous shot and play it again under a penalty of one shot. This might well be your best option if the bunker you are in is particularly nasty.
What rule do you use when you have an unplayable ball in a bunker?
If you are faced with an unplayable ball in a bunker, you will need to proceed using Rule 19.3. From the beginning of 2019, players have an extra option in this scenario. Here is everything you need to know when faced with an unplayable ball in a bunker. Why you SHOULD mark your golf ball.
What are the rules for putting greens?
You can now go back on a line (between the flag and the original position of the ball) as far as you like, outside the bunker.
Why is it important to declare a ball unplayable in golf?
It's an opportunity for a player to declare that their ball has landed in a perilous spot, and they don't want to risk injury, bodily harm or damage to their equipment so they can feebly try to hit the golf ball.
Where can you declare an unplayable lie?
An unplayable lie can be declared anywhere on the golf course at any time, except in a water hazard. An unplayable lie can even be declared in a bunker, allowing a player to take a drop inside the bunker for a one-stroke penalty or take the ball out of the bunker for a two-stroke penalty.
What is a drop from the unplayable spot?
Taking a drop from the unplayable spot that is two clublengths and no nearer the hole. Taking a drop from the unplayable spot that goes as far back as the player would like keeping the unplayable spot between them and the hole.
What happens if you don't want to play your ball?
If you are in a situation where you don’t want to or don’t think you can play your ball, you always have the option of taking relief under the unplayable ball Rule. The player is the only person who can decide that their ball is unplayable, and this can be done anywhere on the golf course except when your ball lies in a penalty area. ...
What happens if your ball lies in a bunker?
If your ball lies in a bunker, you must remain inside the bunker under options two and three. You also have a fourth option for an extra penalty stroke (two penalty strokes total) which allows you to go back on the line and drop your ball outside the bunker .
What is the only relief option for a penalty?
If your ball is in a penalty area, your only relief option is to take relief under the penalty area Rule. When you decide that your ball is unplayable, you have three relief options, all for one penalty stroke. Your first option is to go back to the spot of your previous stroke and play again (stroke and distance relief).
