Unplayable lie. Is it acceptable or frowned upon?

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

The player can declare an unplayable anywhere he likes, without giving and reason of justification, and he would be a fool not to do so if it is in his advantage. Sometimes the rules of golf are arbitrary and a bit stupid. Occasionally, they give you a good break. If so, grab it and remember it next time the more usual bad break happens.

Like when you miss a short putt on a wickedly sloping green and your ball ends up in a greenside bunker right against the face. Just declare it unplayable and replace it from whence it came - back on the green - and add a shot - as as you now know the putt you should be better placed to hole it.

 

[Wessex]

Like when you miss a short putt on a wickedly sloping green and your ball ends up in a greenside bunker right against the face. Just declare it unplayable and replace it from whence it came - back on the green - and add a shot - as as you now know the putt you should be better placed to hole it.

A very interesting comment. I've never seen Rule 28 used to this advantage and I wonder just how many have actually used it in this manner or actually knew they could?

Personally I think the Rule is there to help those whose ball is in a really unplayable position rather than having another go. To me it is not within the spirit of the game but, I will bare it in mind this weekend in our Club Championship should the need arise.

 

[Foxholer]

A very interesting comment. I've never seen Rule 28 used to this advantage and I wonder just how many have actually used it in this manner or actually knew they could?

Personally I think the Rule is there to help those whose ball is in a really unplayable position rather than having another go. To me it is not within the spirit of the game but, I will bare it in mind this weekend in our Club Championship should the need arise.

It was one of these that instigated a reasonably heated debate on another forum.

My attitude still applies - it's fine! Wouldn't have been fine if the original 13 rules applied, but they don't. 'Unplayable' first established (in the Rules) 1920 and has always been up to the player to decide (under penalty). Options and use of provisional (now not allowed) have varied, Originally, it was only return to where previous shot played.

 

[guest100718]

A very interesting comment. I've never seen Rule 28 used to this advantage and I wonder just how many have actually used it in this manner or actually knew they could?

Personally I think the Rule is there to help those whose ball is in a really unplayable position rather than having another go. To me it is not within the spirit of the game but, I will bare it in mind this weekend in our Club Championship should the need arise.

Nothing wrong with using the rules to your advantage.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

A very interesting comment. I've never seen Rule 28 used to this advantage and I wonder just how many have actually used it in this manner or actually knew they could?

Personally I think the Rule is there to help those whose ball is in a really unplayable position rather than having another go. To me it is not within the spirit of the game but, I will bare it in mind this weekend in our Club Championship should the need arise.

I've used it for my previous example. Missed a short (less than 2ft) putt on evil fast downhill green with flag at front of green - and ended up 30 yds back down the fairway with a horrible pitch back up to the green (base of flag hidden). Play too cute and I don't get on green - and back down slope. Play too firm and past the flag with a longer evil downhill putt than the one I started with. So I decide that the shot is unplayable and I place my ball back on the green from whence I had come and hole the putt. So from where I was at bottom of the slope I was essentially 'up and down in two'. Chance of me actually achieving that any other way? - loooooow.

I did however get funny and quizzical looks from my PPs until I explained.

 

[bobmac]

Missed a short (less than 2ft) putt on evil fast downhill green with flag at front of green - and ended up 30 yds back down the fairway with a horrible pitch back up to the green (base of flag hidden). Play too cute and I don't get on green - and back down slope. Play too firm and past the flag with a longer evil downhill putt than the one I started with. So I decide that the shot is unplayable and I place my ball back on the green from whence I had come and hole the putt. So from where I was at bottom of the slope I was essentially 'up and down in two'. Chance of me actually achieving that any other way? - loooooow.

I dont think that should be allowed

 

[HickoryShaft]

Really interesting post and thread this.

I must say that despite 'knowing' this rule I would have previously been reluctant to declare an unplayable and have certainly tried several times to recover a ball that I probably had no chance of getting back in play - at times under trees and near roots so risking injury in doing so.

Now having read it I realise that I should have had the balls to declare it unplayable and get on with the drop. I certainly will from now on so thanks to the OP to raising this.

 

[HickoryShaft]

I dont think that should be allowed

Bob - 'dont think it should be' or 'isn't' despite the rule suggesting it could be used. Is there another rule that overrides it in this circumstance? - clarify please

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Bob - 'dont think it should be' or 'isn't' despite the rule suggesting it could be used. Is there another rule that overrides it in this circumstance? - clarify please

Nothing that doesn't allow it, it just doesn't seem "right", although perfectly legal

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I dont think that should be allowed

I think it was Nicklaus who said many moons ago - I paraphrase - 'know the rules to your advantage'

Plenty of times I've felt very hard done by by the rules - I have no qualms about making use of them to my benefit whenever I can. Besides - unplayable - too difficult to be played - not impossible. From where I was down the slope - down in two? - for me to all intents and purposes unplayable.

 

[HotDogAssassin]

This thread is the biggest reason that I love the forum. I'm aware of the unplayable rule but never really seen the opportunity of using to my advantage until now. There have been MANY situations where I should have used this rule but didn't think of it. Thanks to all!

 

[Ethan]

I dont think that should be allowed

I agree. A green which allows a 2 foot putt to roll 30 yards down a slope should not be allowed.

 

[Val]

I dont think that should be allowed

I don't think you should be penalised for a plugged ball in the rough either but thats the rules.

 

[Foxholer]

I don't think you should be penalised for a plugged ball in the rough either but thats the rules.

I'm with you on that one!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I agree. A green which allows a 2 foot putt to roll 30 yards down a slope should not be allowed.

Aye - tell that to the Masters committee

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

This thread is the biggest reason that I love the forum. I'm aware of the unplayable rule but never really seen the opportunity of using to my advantage until now. There have been MANY situations where I should have used this rule but didn't think of it. Thanks to all!

...and don't for to take your plant spotters guide around with you in case you find your ball nestling gently against a cowslip (only kidding - I think).

I'd rather use the rules to my advantage wherever possible, even in such circumstances that may appear to be 'against the spirit of the game', than bow to the onslaught of techology that breaks the rules but can be permitted by LR (but that is another thread and I will not go there) and which use of to me is most certainly 'against the spirit of the game'

 

[bobmac]

It is just my opinion.
How can you stand in the middle of a fairway with a perfect lie, a clear, dry stance, a clear swing and claim it unplayable when it clearly is playable. It is not unplayable.
Then drop it 30 yards NEARER the hole when all other drops stipulate the drop MUST NOT BE nearer the hole (dropping zones accepted)

Hit it, find it and hit it again.

If your putting is so bad you knock it off the green from 2 feet away, you deserve to play the next shot from 30 yards away.
As I said, just my opinion which I believe I'm entitled to.

 

[FairwayDodger]

Aye - tell that to the Masters committee

You did it in the Masters!?

 

[rosecott]

How can you stand in the middle of a fairway with a perfect lie, a clear, dry stance, a clear swing and claim it unplayable when it clearly is playable. It is not unplayable.

The point being that you cannot tell another player if his ball is unplayable or not. He is the sole judge of that.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

It is just my opinion.
How can you stand in the middle of a fairway with a perfect lie, a clear, dry stance, a clear swing and claim it unplayable when it clearly is playable. It is not unplayable.
Then drop it 30 yards NEARER the hole when all other drops stipulate the drop MUST NOT BE nearer the hole (dropping zones accepted)

Hit it, find it and hit it again.

If your putting is so bad you knock it off the green from 2 feet away, you deserve to play the next shot from 30 yards away.
As I said, just my opinion which I believe I'm entitled to.

Indeed bob

But are we not entering difficult water if some things allowable under the rules are deemed by some to be 'against the spirit of the game'. As it happens when I first learnt of this I thought it was just a bit iffy - but I often say to folk bemoaning their bad luck that 'nobody said golf was supposed to be fair'. I never really cottoned on to what Jack Nicklaus wrote all these years ago - but I see what he means. Know the rules and use the rules to your advantage.

I'm sure that if the R&A didn't like it they'd have ruled against it. Unplayable doesn't necessarily mean just hitting the ball (lie, stance etc) - unplayable can mean that in my opinion I do not feel capable of being able to play the shot to get the outcome I desire with any degree of certainly.

I feel no moral qualms in doing this when others feel no moral qualms about using technology for measuring distance. Both are aimed at reducing uncertainty around outcome.

btw - I've also chipped on from back of same green and disappeared way down the slope and I have chosen to take stroke and distance as I had sussed out the chip from my poor first effort. After taking stroke and distance I chipped and got up and down in two. Could I have got up and down in three from bottom of slope on the fairway? Possibly - but it is a notoriously tricky pitch back up that I do often muck up. So where does that leave me morally. Thin dividing lines and all that