Tournament season means we all need to know how to drop and score an out of play ball correctly. Rules maven Irene made a handy out of play rules summary, find it under the ‘Play Golf!’ and ‘USGA Rules / Resources’ menus. Please take a few moments to review…or learn, thanks!!
Out of Play Balls
Lost Ball
1 stroke penalty
A lost ball is not out of bounds but cannot be found player just cannot see it. Player must go back to where the ball was last struck and play a new ball with a one stroke penalty and distance.
If ball is in question, play a provisional ball until original ball is found. When provisional ball is used and holed out, take a one stroke penalty.
White Stake
1 stroke penalty
When out of bounds at white stake, takes one stroke penalty EACH time ball is out of bounds
(1) must go back to where the ball was struck out of bounds, or
(2) play a provisional ball until confirmed original ball is out of bounds.
Yellow Stake
no penalty or 1 stroke
When out of play at yellow stake, player may play ball as it lies with no stroke penalty, or
Player may take relief by
(1) hit again from original spot for one penalty stroke and distance, or
(2) drop ball in a relief area for one stroke penalty based on a reference going straight back through the hole.
Red Stake
1 stroke penalty
When out of play at red stake for one stroke penalty, player may take relief by
(1) hit again from original spot for one penalty stroke and distance, or
(2) dropping a ball in relief area based on a reference line going straight back through the hole (same as yellow stake), or
(3) take two club lengths’ lateral relief by estimating where the original ball last crossed the edge of the red penalty area.
Embedded
no penalty
Free relief for embedded ball ON and OFF the fairway when player’s ball sits below ground level. Ball can be dug up, cleaned and dropped in the 180 degree area behind the line of play with no penalty. OFF the fairway must be proven ball is below ground level and not just sitting in a divot.
Free relief does not apply in a hazard.
Unplayable – Natural
1 stroke penalty
If ball cannot be hit because of a natural obstruction, ball can be moved within two clubs’ length no closer to pin for a one stroke penalty.
Unplayable – Manmade
no penalty
If ball cannot be hit because of a manmade obstruction, ball can be moved within a one club length no closer to pin with no penalty.