UNPLAYABLE BALL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When can a ball be Unplayable. (Rule 19.1) You (the player) are the only one that may be declared unplayable. This may be done anywhere on the course, except in a penalty area. For one penalty stroke, you will have the following options.
 

• Stroke and Distance. Take a stroke and distance penalty and play the ball from where it was last played.
   
• Back on a line Relief. Use the flagstick and current location of the ball to establish a line between those two points and drop a ball on an extanesion of that line   with no limit to how far back it may go.
   
• Lateral Relief. Drop a ball within two club lengths of the current spot of the ball, and no closer to the hole.

 

Click HERE to watch a video explanation.

 

 

Unplayable Ball in a Bunker. (Rule 19.3) A ball may also be declared unplayable in a bunker using the three options listed above, plus a new option for 2019. For the three listed above, if options #2 and #3 are used, the ball must be dropped within that same bunker under those Rules with a one stroke penalty. In 2019, a new Rule will allow players to drop a ball outside of the bunker using the principles of option #2, but this will cost you 2 penalty strokes. Click HERE to see a video explanation.