Plugged ball in bunker.

[Lump]

What is the ruling for a ball that enters a bunker but plugs so deep it cannot be found?

Is it simply deemed unplayable and you go back and play another one from the point of your last shot but under penalty?

Had this today on a par3 and we where dumbfounded on what to do.

 

[fundy]

Did you find it is the first question (this happened on the European tour earlier this week and he couldnt find it even)

If you dont find it then its a lost ball and back to where you played from under penalty. If you find it then you can treat it as an unplayable lie and take a drop under penalty

 

[Lump]

You couldn't see where a ball entered. Beyond raking around to search you'd have never found it. But then it opens up testing the surface/improving the lie ruling.

 

[fundy]

on that basis sounds like its a lost ball and its distance and a shot penalty, played from where the prev shot was

 

[Piece]

You couldn't see where a ball entered. Beyond raking around to search you'd have never found it. But then it opens up testing the surface/improving the lie ruling.

Rule 12-1 allows you to search for a ball covered by sand without penalty. Once your ball is identified, the ball is replaced and is mainly re-covered, leaving a small part visible to allow you to hit.

 

[Lump]

Rule 12-1 allows you to search for a ball covered by sand without penalty. Once your ball is identified, the ball is replaced and is mainly re-covered, leaving a small part visible to allow you to hit.

Thank you. Finally a rule in golf that makes complete sense.