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19Unplayable Ball
19
Unplayable Ball
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).
19
Unplayable Ball
19.1
You May Decide to Take Unplayable Ball Relief Anywhere Except 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.
19.2
Relief Options for Unplayable Ball in General Area or on Putting Green
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.
A player decides that his or her ball in a bush is unplayable. The player has three options, in each case adding one penalty stroke:
(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:
DIAGRAM 19.2: RELIEF OPTIONS FOR BALL UNPLAYABLE IN GENERAL AREA
See Below for the Relief Options.
- Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and
- Must be in the same area of the course as the reference point.
- Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and
- May be in any area of the course.
- Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and
- May be in any area of the course.
19.3
Relief Options for Unplayable Ball in Bunker
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.
DIAGRAM 19.3: RELIEF OPTIONS FOR BALL UNPLAYABLE IN BUNKER
A player decides that his or her ball in a bunker is unplayable. The player has four options: (1) For one penalty stroke, the player may take stroke-and-distance relief. (2) For one penalty stroke, the player may take back-on-the-line relief in the bunker. (3) For one penalty stroke, the player may take lateral relief in the bunker. (4) For a total of two penalty strokes, the player may take back-on-the-line relief outside the bunker based on a reference line going straight back from the hole through the spot of the original ball.