Ball unplayable.

You can declare your ball unplayable anywhere on the course EXCEPT in a penalty area (where the only relief option is Penalty Area relief as previously explained)

There are three relief options for an unplayable ball in the general area or putting green, all with one penalty point added to your score.

1. Stroke and distance. Ie you may play from where the original ball was played. In this case you don’t need to identify where your ball is lying.

2. Lateral relief no nearer the hole . In this case the reference point is where your ball lies and the relief area is within 2 club lengths of that point (no nearer the hole)

3. Back on line relief. The reference point is anywhere on a line between where the ball lies and the flag and continuing back from where the ball lies. Once you have established where you want to drop, you have one club length from that spot and the ball may roll within that club length, even if it rolls forward.

If your ball is unplayable in a bunker you have the above options with the restriction that in 2 and 3 above the reference point must be in the bunker.

HOWEVER you have an additional option if the ball is unplayable in the bunker (& you are the sole decider whether it is unplayable or not) and that is..

You may drop outside the bunker under “back on line” reference point for an additional penalty stroke ie 2 stroke penalty.

Quick hints on a couple of situations.

a. If your ball is stuck up a tree, you MUST be able to identify it before taking lateral relief or back on line relief. If taking lateral relief, the reference point is directly underneath the ball and you have 2 club lengths (no nearer hole) from that point.

b. If you happen to “skinny” a chip shot into a bunker from just off the green and it wedges under the front lip (unplayable?) then the smart option may be to take stroke and distance for one penalty stroke and replay the chip ( especially if you are not a good bunker player)

A video explaining the rule is available below.

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