what is an unplayable in golf

Golf Unplayable Lies

• Unplayable Lie. An unplayable lie occurs when a golfer is unable to perform a golf swing due to a physical object impeding the ability to make a swing.
• One Club Length Closest Point to Relief. As a result of having an unplayable lie, a golfer may drop a golf ball one club length from the spot of the ...
• Drop. ...
• One Stroke Penalty. ...

Full Answer

What is an unplayable ball in golf?

An unplayable ball, also known as an unplayable lie, comes into play when you don’t think you can play your ball from its current position. The USGA also notes that it comes into play when you don’t want to play your shot, as well.

What is the rule for unplayable lies in golf?

In the rulebook in effect from Jan. 1, 2019, going forward, unplayable lies are covered under Rule 19, Unplayable Ball. 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.

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).

What is the penalty for declaring a golf ball unplayable?

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.

What happens if your ball lies in a bunker?

What is the only relief option for a penalty?

What happens if you don't want to play your ball?

About this website

What is the rule for an unplayable ball in golf?

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 strokes is an unplayable ball?

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.

Who decides if a ball is unplayable?

GolferWhether 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 a lost ball a 2 stroke penalty?

The correct method of play would be to return to the spot from which the original ball was last played, and under penalty of one stroke, continue play from there. Yes, that means that a lost ball is a stroke and distance penalty.

Is there a 2 stroke penalty in golf?

Placing the club head down in a bunker, unless it is in the act of striking the ball, results in a two-stroke penalty. A golfer is similarly penalized two strokes for striking a loose impediment in a hazard with their swing, such as nearby reed if striking out of a shallow water hazard.

What is Rule 5.3 A in golf?

March 9, 2021. Rule 5.3a states: The player must start at (and not before) his or her starting time: This means that the players must be ready to play at the starting time and starting point set by the Committee.

What happens if you hit your tee shot out of bounds?

What this means is that you incur a one-stroke penalty and need to go back to the point from where you hit your last shot. For example, if you hit your tee shot out of bounds, you incur a one-shot penalty, must go back to the tee, hitting your third shot.

What happens if you hit your golf ball in the water?

You get a one-stroke penalty for landing your golf ball onto a water hazard. Your ball is considered in the water hazard when it touches the yellow markers or lies within the hazard. It is also worth noting that there are two options a golfer can choose from for dealing with a one-stroke penalty due to water hazard.

Do you get relief from a bush in golf?

When a player's ball lies above the ground (such as in a bush or a tree), the player may take lateral relief by using the point on the ground directly below the spot of the ball as his or her reference point: The relief area.

Do you get relief from tree roots in golf?

Is there any free relief, or is it just play it as it lies? Answer: The Rules of Golf stipulate that this is play it as it lies, similar to a ball being up a tree, or on top of a rock. If you don't wish to play it as it lies, then you can take an unplayable, which will cost you a one stroke penalty. .

What does 3 off the tee mean?

A Provisional ball, as described, is ALWAYS classed as '3 off the Tee' - provisionally! You must announce it as a 'provisional ball', otherwise it isn't provisional, so becomes the ball in play (and 3 off the tee).

Can you hit a ball that is out of bounds?

The penalty for losing a ball or hitting it out of bounds is "stroke and distance": if your first shot vanishes or ends up on the wrong side of the white stakes, you count that stroke (one), add a penalty stroke (two), and hit again from the original spot (three).

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 ...

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.

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.

What happens if a golfer declares a lie unplayable?

So, once a golfer declares their ball or lie unplayable, they agree to take a one-stroke penalty in exchange for being able to improve their lie in one of three ways:

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 is it called when you can't see the ball?

Sometimes in golf, players hit their ball in a place where they can see the ball but they couldn't possibly hit the ball. We call this situation an "unplayable lie."

What is the penalty for a ball in a bunker?

Declaring a ball that is in a bunker unplayable comes with four options, one of which results in a two-stroke, rather than one-stroke, penalty. Those options are stroke-and-distance relief; back-on-the-line relief inside the bunker (your ball remains in bunker); or lateral relief inside the bunker. Or, for a two-stroke penalty, back-on-the-line relief outside the bunker.

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.".

How to proceed after taking the unplayable lie penalty?

The most common options for proceeding after taking the unplayable lie penalty are to return to the spot of the previous stroke and play again (stroke-and-distance relief); or drop within two club-lengths, not nearer the hole, of the unplayable lie; or drop behind the unplayable lie spot, going back as far as you want, keeping the original spot between the hole and the new place where you drop (back-on-the-line relief).

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.

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 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, ...

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 ...

What does "drop drop" mean in golf?

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. Each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors: (...Continued) that is based on a reference line going straight back from the hole Hole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played: (...Continued) through the spot of the original ball:

What is the rule for unplayable ball relief?

A player may take unplayable ball relief using one of the three options in Rule 19.2a, b or c, in each case adding one penalty stroke . The player may take stroke-and-distance Stroke and Distance: The procedure and penalty when a player takes relief under Rules 17, 18 or 19 by playing a ball from where the previous stroke was made (see Rule 14.6). ...

What is the penalty for playing a ball from the wrong place?

(...Continued) in Breach of Rule 19.2: General Penalty General Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. Under Rule 14.7a .

What does "drop" mean in putting?

If the player drops 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 ball without having chosen this point, the reference point is treated as being the point on the line that is the same distance from the hole Hole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played: (...Continued) as where the dropped 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) ball first touched the ground.

What does "must not be nearer the hole" mean?

Must not be nearer the hole Hole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played: (...Continued) than the reference point, and

What is a reference point in golf?

Reference Point: A point on the course Course: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: (...Continued) chosen by the player that is on the reference line and is farther from the hole Hole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played: (...Continued) than the spot of the original ball (with no limit on how far back on the line):

Can a player play the original ball?

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 ).

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.

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 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.

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 are the penalties for violating Rule 28?

Penalties for violating Rule 28: Match play – loss of hole. Stroke play – two strokes. 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.

Where are the drops in golf?

Drops within two club-lengths of the unplayable lie, no nearer the hole.

Where is unplayable ball relief allowed?

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. 19.2. Relief Options for Unplayable Ball in General Area or on Putting Green.

What is the penalty for playing ball from a wrong place in violation of Rule 19.3?

Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Rule 19.3: General Penalty under Rule 14.7a.

What is the rule for a player to drop the ball in a bunker?

The ball must be dropped in and come to rest in a relief area in the bunker if the player takes either back-on-the-line relief (see Rule 19.2b) or lateral relief (see Rule 19.2c ). A player decides that his or her ball in a bunker is unplayable.

What is the point on the golf course that is farther from the hole than the spot of the original ball?

The reference point is a point on the course chosen by the player that is on the reference line and is farther from the hole than the spot of the original ball. There is no limit on how far back on the line the reference point may be.

Where can you drop a golf ball?

The player may drop the original ball or another ball (see Rule 14.3) in a relief area that is based on a reference line going straight back from the hole through the spot of the original ball:

Where does the ball rest in golf?

If more than one area of the course is located within two club-lengths of the reference point, the ball must come to rest in the relief area in the same area of the course that the ball first touched when dropped in the relief area.

What is Rule 19?

Print Section. Purpose: Rule 19 covers the player’s several relief options for an unplayable ball. This allows the player to choose which option to use – normally with one penalty stroke – to get out of a difficult situation anywhere on the course (except in a penalty area). 19.1.

Definition

Golf is a game notable for the difficulty of its courses. Golf balls often fly in unexpected directions, and natural forces such as wind and other obstacles can greatly impede players looking for an easy shot to the fairway or green.

Result

For scenarios where the ball is deemed unplayable by the player who hit it, the cost for moving the ball to a relief area is incurring a penalty of one stroke. This means that the player is moved one stroke closer to or past par stroke, which negatively impacts their game, as golf is won by whomever has the fewest overall strokes.

Examples

Player 1 hits their ball, which lands behind a small cluster of trees that lie between it and the hole. Knowing that they cannot hit the ball over the treeline, Player 1 declares the ball unplayable and elects to take a one-stroke penalty by utilizing stroke-and-distance relief.

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).

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. ...