Rules

[denver_nuggs_15]

This is probably a simple question but what do you do if you take an unplayable lie in a hazard?

[iacas]

This is probably a simple question but what do you do if you take an unplayable lie in a hazard?

You take the penalty stroke and drop again in the hazard (sand). If it's in a lateral (red) or regular water hazard (yellow), it'd be dumb to take an unplayable (and you may not be able to anyway). Just drop outside the hazard where required.

[Fourputt]

This is probably a simple question but what do you do if you take an unplayable lie in a hazard?

Under Rule 28 (Ball Unplayable) you can't declare the ball unplayable in a water hazard. If the ball IS unplayable in a water hazard, you proceed under Rule 26, taking the hazard penalty of one stroke and whatever distance you may lose because of the option you select. Rule 28:

The player may deem 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. If the player deems his ball to be unplayable, he must, under penalty of one stroke: (a) Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or (b) Drop a ball behind the point where the ball lay, keeping that point directly between the holeand the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind that point the ball may be dropped; or (c) Drop a ball within two club-lengths of the spot where the ball lay, but not nearer the hole. Penalty for Breach of Rule: Match play — Loss of hole; Stroke play — Two strokes. If the unplayable ball is in a bunker, the player may proceed under Clause a, b or c. If he elects to proceed under Clause b or c, a ball must be dropped in the bunker. The ball may be lifted and cleaned when proceeding under this Rule.

[Mr.Buckethead]

I was playing a round (not in a tournament or anything) and hit the ball over the green and into the back of a sand trap.

My ball was buried and barely visible. It was about 2-4 inches from the back lip and buried in the upslope of the bunker. Said bunker was bordered in the rear by a giant mound of earth. To compound the issue, some genius of a golf superintendent had planted an ornamental grass at behind the trap. It was impossible to take a stance from any side of the ball except for hitting the ball away from the green which would then cause the ball to be buried in the ornamental grass.

I know that explanation was long and could be confusing but I am curious. Could I have just declared the ball unplayable, taken a penalty, dropped it out of the bunker and continued on?

[iacas]

I know that explanation was long and could be confusing but I am curious. Could I have just declared the ball unplayable, taken a penalty, dropped it out of the bunker and continued on?

As answered above, no, you cannot drop out of the bunker.

[Fourputt]

I was playing a round (not in a tournament or anything) and hit the ball over the green and into the back of a sand trap.

You would have to drop IN the bunker, but not nearer to the hole than your ball originally lay.

[Striper]

The guys are right. You can't drop out of the bunker and you can't drop any closer to the hole. I think your best option would have been to try to hit the ball out of it's cave and into a better spot in the bunker.

[Mr.Buckethead]

Thanks for the non-condescending remarks.

It was the most unfair lie I have ever seen in my life. It might have been easier to hack the ball out of 6 inches of water than to dig it up from its buried spot.

I know it took at least 4-5 chops to move the ball.

[ohio golfer]

Originally Posted by Striper

The guys are right. You can't drop out of the bunker and you can't drop any closer to the hole. I think your best option would have been to try to hit the ball out of it's cave and into a better spot in the bunker.

I believe you can when the bunker is under water and it isn't a free drop.

[Fourputt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohio golfer

I believe you can when the bunker is under water and it isn't a free drop.

Rule 25-1b(ii):

Quote:

(ii) In a Bunker: If the ball is in a bunker , the player must lift the ball and drop it either:

(a) Without penalty, in accordance with Clause (i) above, except that the nearest point of relief must be in the bunker and the ball must be dropped in the bunker or, if complete relief is impossible, as near as possible to the spot where the ball lay, but not nearer the hole , on a part of the course in the bunker that affords maximum available relief from the condition; or

(b) Under penalty of one stroke , outside the bunker, keeping the point where the ball lay directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the bunker the ball may be dropped.