Full Answer
How do you decide if a golf 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."
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.
When can a player take 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 unplayable ball rule?
Spieth blasted his tee shot well right of the fairway, his ball settling into an impossible lie on the bank of a dune. Luckily, Spieth knew he had options courtesy of Rule 19, the Unplayable Ball rule. In today’s Rules School, we break down all the options afforded under this rule and the specific relief option Spieth chose.
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 "drop drop" mean in baseball?
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.
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 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 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.
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 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 ...
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 rule did Spieth use to get relief?
Luckily, Spieth knew he had options courtesy of Rule 19, the Unplayable Ball rule. In today’s Rules School, we break down all the options afforded under this rule and the specific relief option Spieth chose. Rule 19 cover a situation where a ball is unplayable.
Did Phil Spieth take back on the line?
In Spieth’s case at Royal Birkdale, he chose to take back-on-the-line relief. He ended up taking his drop some 100 yards behind where his tee shot ended up in an effort to get a more favorable lie. Eventually, he limited the damage to a bogey on the hole, played beautifully coming home and claimed the Claret Jug.
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 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.
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.
