what is an unplayable on 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.

Full Answer

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 is the penalty for an unplayable lie in golf?

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."

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 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 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.

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.

What determines an unplayable lie 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. An unplayable lie can be declared anywhere on the golf course at any time, except in a water hazard.

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.

How many strokes is an unplayable?

one-strokeIf 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.

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.

How many strokes do you get for a lost golf ball?

one-strokeIf 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.

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.

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 have to find your ball to declare it unplayable?

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.

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.

Can you step on the grass behind your golf ball?

Also, you cannot step behind your ball to improve your lie, except on the teeing ground. On the putting green, you are not permitted to repair everything on the line between your ball and the hole. You may repair ball marks and move loose impediments, but you cannot repair spike marks.

Who decides if a ball is unplayable?

playerA 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. Continued), except in a penalty area.

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.

Can you take an unplayable lie out of a hazard?

The New Rule: If a player deems a ball unplayable in the bunker, they now have an option to remove their ball from the sand without going back to the spot of their previous shot.

Can a golf ball be declared unplayable in a bunker?

A. If you don't want to or decide you can't play your ball as it lies when your ball is in a bunker, you may decide it is unplayable. If you do this, you have four total options, and two will always require that you take relief inside the bunker. You have three one penalty stroke relief options.

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 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 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 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 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 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.

Who decides whether a golf ball is unplayable?

So the question of who gets to decide whether a golf ball is unplayable, and for what reason, is very straightforward: You, the golfer, and nobody else, makes that determination.

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 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).

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 ...

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.

Where are the drops in golf?

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

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.