Ball Unplayable & The Stroke and Distance Anywhere Option

Rule 19 (Rules of Golf) – Ball Unplayable

You can declare your ball “unplayable” anywhere on the course – except in a penalty area. There are 3 options available under 1-stroke penalty relief:

  • All The Way Back (Stroke & Distance)
  • Back on the Line
  • 2 Club Lengths (lateral relief)

Note: If the Stroke & Distance relief option or the Back On The Line option are not favourable, you may take lateral relief of 2 club lengths multiple times, taking a 1 stroke penalty each time, until a playable position is reached.

Declaring a Ball Unplayable in a Bunker

The same three options – under 1 stroke penalty relief – are available should you chose to declare your ball unplayable in a bunker. Note: the ball must stay in the bunker for the Back On The Line option and 2 Club Lengths (lateral relief) option.

Don’t want to hit from the sand? There is a fourth option – under 2-stroke penalty relief – that allows you to take Back On The Line relief and move your ball behind the bunker. 

Here are graphics detailing Relief Options for Unplayable Ball in both the General Area and in the Bunker.

UNPLAY1
UNPLAY2

Stroke & Distance Relief – The “Anywhere” Option – Rule 18 (Rules of Golf)

You can take Stroke & Distance Relief – hitting another ball from the spot you hit the previous ball (the “All The Way Back” Option) – anywhere on the course and at any time.  That’s right! If you don’t like where your ball lands for any reason, you can re-load and hit again under 1-stroke Penalty Relief. Don’t forget to add the original stroke!