Unplayable Lie – Golf Term A lie or ball position from which the golfer cannot reasonably play a shot, but from which he is not allowed free relief. For example, a ball nestled deep into bushes or lying between tree roots may be deemed unplayable.
What is the rule for an unplayable lie in golf?
The rule for an unplayable lie Rule 28 as written in the USGA Rules of Golf is as follows: "The player may deem 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. If the player deems his ball...
What does declaring a ball unplayable mean in golf?
Declaring a ball unplayable means that you will use the unplayable ball relief rule under the rules of golf and take proper relief and a penalty. When you declare a ball unplayable, you are announcing that you will take the penalty for moving it to a position that is then playable.
What are your options if your ball finds an unplayable lie?
What are your options if your ball finds an unplayable lie? 1 Stroke-and-distance relief#N#“The player may take stroke-and-distance relief by playing the original ball or another... 2 Back-on-the-line relief#N#“The player may take back-on-the-line relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in... 3 Lateral relief More ...
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).
When can you declare 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.
Can you take an unplayable lie anywhere?
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.
How many stroke penalty is unplayable?
one penalty strokea. 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.
Is a lost ball a 2 stroke penalty?
Local rule for out of bounds, lost ball If 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.
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.
Can you have 2 putters in your golf bag?
According to the USGA and R&A rules, you can have two putters in your bag when playing a professional round of golf provided the total number doesn't exceed 14. The same thing applies when you're playing a normal golf round.
Do you get relief from a plugged ball?
Within the rules of golf a plugged lie is known as an embedded ball. The good news is that unless you are in a bunker or penalty area, you do now get relief without penalty. Under the pre-2019 rules, this was only the case if you were on the fairway or other closely mown areas.
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.
Where do you drop with 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.
Can I take an unplayable lie 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 take relief in a penalty area?
When your ball lies in a penalty area, you can play it as it lies or take relief outside the penalty area for one penalty stroke.
When can you take a free drop in golf?
(2) When Ball Is in Penalty Area. The player may take free relief or penalty relief: Free Relief: Playing from Inside Penalty Area. The player may take free relief under Rule 16.1b, except that the nearest point of complete relief.
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.
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 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 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).
What happens if you can't find the ball?
If you can't find the ball you need to declare it lost and proceed under the lost ball rules. The rule for an unplayable lie Rule 28 as written in the USGA Rules of Golf is as follows: "The player may deem 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 ...
What happens if you don't hit your ball in a hazard?
It definitely seems that if you don't hit your ball in a hazard or out of bounds and you keep it in play that you shouldn't be penalized, but unfortunately the rule is that if you can't hit it, you must declare it unplayable.
What is an unplayable lie?
An unplayable lie is not, as you might expect, a lie that is just never going to play out. For example; “I got that rash from too much jogging, dear”.
How would you use it in a sentence?
The first drive ended up in deep rough so I was forced to declare an unlayable lie.
Any other business?
Jordan Spieth famously declared an unplayable lie after a wayward drive on the 13th at Birkdale during the final round of the 2017 Open. We all know what happened next.
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?
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 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 hole did Jordan Spieth hit?
During the final round of the 2017 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, Jordan Spieth got himself into some serious trouble on the 13 th hole. Spieth blasted his tee shot well right of the fairway, his ball settling into an impossible lie on the bank of a dune.
What is the rule for a one stroke penalty?
Rule 19 cover a situation where a ball is unplayable. This rule can be invoked anywhere on the course (other than the penalty areas) for a one-stroke penalty, and the player is given three relief options. 1. Stroke-and-distance relief. “The player may take stroke-and-distance relief by playing the original ball or another ball from ...
