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Unplayable Ball
You may take unplayable ball relief using one of three options shown in Diagram 19.2, in each case adding one penalty stroke.
DIAGRAM 19.2: RELIEF OPTIONS FOR UNPLAYABLE BALL IN GENERAL AREA
A player decides that their ball in a bush is unplayable. The player has three options, in each case adding one penalty stroke. The player may:
- Take stroke-and-distance relief by playing a ball from a relief area based on where the previous stroke was made.
- Take back-on-the-line relief by dropping a ball behind the spot of the original ball, keeping the spot of the original ball between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped.
- Take lateral relief. The reference point for taking relief is the spot of the original ball and a ball must be dropped in and played from the two club-length relief area, which is no nearer the hole than the reference point.