what happens when a golf course becomes unplayable

Course Unplayable If the Committee or its authorized representative considers that for any reason the course is not in a playable condition or that there are circumstances that render the proper playing of the game impossible, it may, in match play or stroke play, order a temporary suspension of play or, in stroke play, declare play null and void and cancel all scores for the round in question.

Full Answer

What happens if you take an unplayable lie on the golf course?

Under this rule, you incur a one-stroke penalty, but are permitted to take relief from your troubling situation. There are three specific options when taking an unplayable lie. The first option is to go back to the point from where you played your last shot.

Why can you declare a ball unplayable in golf?

That's why we have the ability to declare a ball or lie unplayable in golf as part of Rule 28. It's an opportunity for a player to declare that their ball has landed in a perilous spot, and they don't want to risk injury, bodily harm or damage to their equipment so they can feebly try to hit the golf ball.

What happens if a ball is unplayable in a penalty area?

If a ball is unplayable in a penalty area, the player’s only relief option is to take penalty relief under Rule 17. A player may take unplayable ball relief using one of the three options in Rule 19.2a, b or c, in each case adding one penalty stroke.

Can You Drop an unplayable golf ball in a bunker?

Up until 2019, you only had one choice when taking an unplayable ball in a bunker. Since then, the USGA has altered the Rules, and now, you have two options. For the price of one stroke, you have the choice of dropping for a better lie within the bunker the ball is already in.

What is the penalty in golf for an unplayable lie?

a one-stroke penaltyIf you find your ball in play, but in a circumstance where you are not able to make a swing or advance the ball, then you are always entitled to claim an unplayable lie. Under this rule, you incur a one-stroke penalty, but are permitted to take relief from your troubling situation.

What is the rule for an unplayable ball in golf?

Unplayable ball relief is allowed anywhere on the course, except in a penalty area. If a ball is unplayable in a penalty area, the player's only relief option is to take penalty relief under Rule 17.

How many strokes do you add to your score if your ball lands in an unplayable area?

one penalty strokea. The player may take unplayable ball relief for one penalty stroke under any of the options in Rule 19.2, except that: The ball must be dropped.

Is a lost ball a 2 stroke penalty?

The correct method of play would be to return to the spot from which the original ball was last played, and under penalty of one stroke, continue play from there. Yes, that means that a lost ball is a stroke and distance penalty.

Are there 2 stroke penalties in golf?

A golfer can be penalized two strokes if he interferes with another player's shot by hitting the ball or causing something else, such as a club or bag, to hit the ball.

What color golf ball is easiest?

Simply put, yellow golf balls are a lot easier to see. This is especially true with the fluorescent or neon yellow hue found on many balls, including the Srixon Q-Star and Q-Star Tour.

Can you hit a ball that is out of bounds?

The penalty for losing a ball or hitting it out of bounds is "stroke and distance": if your first shot vanishes or ends up on the wrong side of the white stakes, you count that stroke (one), add a penalty stroke (two), and hit again from the original spot (three).

Do you get relief from tree roots in golf?

Is there any free relief, or is it just play it as it lies? Answer: The Rules of Golf stipulate that this is play it as it lies, similar to a ball being up a tree, or on top of a rock. If you don't wish to play it as it lies, then you can take an unplayable, which will cost you a one stroke penalty. .

What is the rule if you hit your tee shot out of bounds?

What this means is that you incur a one-stroke penalty and need to go back to the point from where you hit your last shot. For example, if you hit your tee shot out of bounds, you incur a one-shot penalty, must go back to the tee, hitting your third shot.

What does 3 off the tee mean?

A Provisional ball, as described, is ALWAYS classed as '3 off the Tee' - provisionally! You must announce it as a 'provisional ball', otherwise it isn't provisional, so becomes the ball in play (and 3 off the tee).

What is the penalty for a ball in a bunker?

Declaring a ball that is in a bunker unplayable comes with four options, one of which results in a two-stroke, rather than one-stroke, penalty. Those options are stroke-and-distance relief; back-on-the-line relief inside the bunker (your ball remains in bunker); or lateral relief inside the bunker. Or, for a two-stroke penalty, back-on-the-line relief outside the bunker.

What is the penalty for a ball unplayable?

The penalty is one stroke. In the rulebook in effect through the end of 2018, unplayable lies are covered under Rule 28, Ball Unplayable: "The player may declare his ball unplayable at any place on the course except when the ball is in a water hazard. The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable.".

How to proceed after taking the unplayable lie penalty?

The most common options for proceeding after taking the unplayable lie penalty are to return to the spot of the previous stroke and play again (stroke-and-distance relief); or drop within two club-lengths, not nearer the hole, of the unplayable lie; or drop behind the unplayable lie spot, going back as far as you want, keeping the original spot between the hole and the new place where you drop (back-on-the-line relief).

What happens if you declare a golf ball unplayable?

If you declare the ball unplayable, you do so at the loss of at least one stroke.

Where can you take unplayable ball relief?

Under the heading "You May Decide to Take Unplayable Ball Relief Anywhere Except Penalty Area ," the rule states this: "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.".

Is it counterintuitive to declare a ball unplayable?

The short answer: Yes. It's counterintuitive because declaring a ball unplayable when, in fact, the ball is eminently playable seems counter to the basic golf principle of "play it as it lies.". In the scenario described above, the golfer would remove the ball from the bunker, assess himself a one-stroke penalty, ...

Is a golf ball unplayable?

Whether a Ball Is 'Unplayable' Is Solely Up to Golfer to Decide. Fact is, a golfer can declare any ball unplayable, at any time, for any reason, and anywhere on the course other than in a penalty area (a water hazard or any other area marked with red stakes or yellow stakes). The penalty is one stroke. In the rulebook in effect through the end of ...

Why is it important to declare a ball unplayable in golf?

It's an opportunity for a player to declare that their ball has landed in a perilous spot, and they don't want to risk injury, bodily harm or damage to their equipment so they can feebly try to hit the golf ball.

What happens if a golfer declares a lie unplayable?

So, once a golfer declares their ball or lie unplayable, they agree to take a one-stroke penalty in exchange for being able to improve their lie in one of three ways:

What is a drop from the unplayable spot?

Taking a drop from the unplayable spot that is two clublengths and no nearer the hole. Taking a drop from the unplayable spot that goes as far back as the player would like keeping the unplayable spot between them and the hole.

What is it called when you can't see the ball?

Sometimes in golf, players hit their ball in a place where they can see the ball but they couldn't possibly hit the ball. We call this situation an "unplayable lie."

Does GNN make commissions?

We also occasionally include links to products and services from merchants of our choice. GNN may earn a commission from sales generated by those links. See more in GNN's affiliate disclosure.

What are the rules of golf for lying?

Rules of Golf – Options for Unplayable Lies. If you find your ball in play, but in a circumstance where you are not able to make a swing or advance the ball, then you are always entitled to claim an unplayable lie. Under this rule, you incur a one-stroke penalty, but are permitted to take relief from your troubling situation.

What happens if you find your ball in a position where you cannot make a swing?

In summary, if you find your ball in a position where you cannot make a swing, or choose to take relief, you have the option to claim an unplayable lie. The penalty for doing so is one stroke.

How to take an unplayable lie?

There are three specific options when taking an unplayable lie. The first option is to go back to the point from where you played your last shot. The second option is to drop your ball within two club lengths of where the ball came to rest, without moving closer to the hole.

What is Rule 19?

Print Section. Purpose: Rule 19 covers the player’s several relief options for an unplayable ball. This allows the player 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). 19.1.

What is relief area?

The relief area is one club-length from the reference point, is not nearer to the hole than the reference point and may be in any area of the course. In choosing this reference point, the player should indicate the point by using an object (such as a tee). (3) The player may take lateral relief.

What is the penalty for playing ball from a wrong place in violation of Rule 19.3?

Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Rule 19.3: General Penalty under Rule 14.7a.

What is the rule for a player to drop the ball in a bunker?

The ball must be dropped in and come to rest in a relief area in the bunker if the player takes either back-on-the-line relief (see Rule 19.2b) or lateral relief (see Rule 19.2c ). A player decides that his or her ball in a bunker is unplayable.

What are the options for a penalty stroke?

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.

Where is unplayable ball relief allowed?

Unplayable ball relief is allowed anywhere on the course, except in a penalty area. If a ball is unplayable in a penalty area, the player’s only relief option is to take penalty relief under Rule 17. 19.2. Relief Options for Unplayable Ball in General Area or on Putting Green.

What is the point on the golf course that is farther from the hole than the spot of the original ball?

The reference point is 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. There is no limit on how far back on the line the reference point may be.