Purpose: Rule 19 covers your relief options for an unplayable ball. This allows you to choose which option to use - normally with one penalty stroke - to get out of a difficult situation anywhere on the course (except in a penalty area).
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.
You may take unplayable ball relief using one of three options shown in Diagram 19.2, in each case adding one penalty stroke.
Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Rule 19.2: General Penalty.
(1) The player may take stroke-and-distance relief by playing the original ball or another ball from a relief area based on where the previous stroke was made (see Rule 14.6 and Diagram 14.6).
Reference Point: The spot where the previous stroke was made (which if not known must be estimated).
Size of Relief Area: One club-length from the reference point.
Limits on Relief Area: The relief area:
(2) The player may take back-on-the-line relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in a relief area based on a reference line going straight back from the hole through the spot of the original ball.
Reference Point: A point on the course chosen by the player that is on the reference line and is farther from the hole than the spot of the original ball (with no limit on how far back on the line).
Size of Relief Area: One club-length from the reference point.
Limits on Relief Area: The relief area:
Player Notes: In choosing this reference point, you should indicate the point by using an object (such as a tee).
(3) The player may take lateral relief.
Reference Point: The spot of the original ball.
Size of Relief Area: Two club-lengths from the reference point.
Limits on Relief Area: The relief area:
When your ball is in a bunker, you may take unplayable ball relief using one of four options shown in Diagram 19.3.
Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Rule 19.3: General Penalty.
The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee. The boundary edge extends both up above the ground and down below the ground.
An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if your ball comes to rest there.
There are two different types of penalty areas, distinguished by the colour used to mark them:
If the colour of a penalty area has not been marked or indicated by the Committee, it is treated as a red penalty area.
The edge of a penalty area extends both up above the ground and down below the ground.
The edge of a penalty area should be defined by stakes or lines.
Any place on the course other than where you are required or allowed to play your ball under the Rules.
A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed. These are not part of a bunker:
Any place on the course other than where you are required or allowed to play your ball under the Rules.