Unplayable Lie

[Fore]

I was just trying to swot up on some rules as i am playing my first match under starters orders on Sunday and came across the article below. What it does not state is whether a penalty is incurred of 1 or 2 strokes. Can anybody enlighten me please.

'A player may declare their ball to be unplayable at any time - except when it is in a water hazard.
Even if another golfer considers it to be playable, the player is the judge.
Sometimes it might be in a player's interest to do this - when right up tight to the face of a bunker for instance.
Once a player has done this they have three options:
* Play a ball as close as possible to the spot where the original was played
* Drop a ball within two club lengths of the spot where the unplayable ball lay but no nearer the hole
* Drop a ball on a line running from the hole through the spot where the unplayable ball lay as far back as he or she likes'

 

[Twire]

Under penaulty of one stroke.

 

[viscount17]

Sometimes it might be in a player's interest to do this - when right up tight to the face of a bunker for instance

drop in the hazard surely

 

[HomerJSimpson]

If the ball is played and lands in the face of the bunker you can proceed under all three options so you can go back to the point the shot was played from If a shot is played in the bunker and the ball is declared unplayable you must drop in the bunker

 

[Twire]

The OP didn't ask for options........just what the penalty was

 

[jammydodger]

The OP didn't ask for options........just what the penalty was

I didnt reply cos you'd already answered the question correctly

 

[Smiffy]

The OP didn't ask for options........just what the penalty was

I didnt reply cos you'd already answered the question correctly

And I didn't reply because I knew you were standing behind him with the correct answer if he was wrong

 

[Fore]

Thanks Gents. I have the feeling i may have to invoke this during my round at some point or another!

I have been given a handicap of 24.4 which is basically lower than my best score to date. Still, at least with stableford you can pick up if a hole is getting too out of hand.

 

[viscount17]

I have been given a handicap of 24.4 which is basically lower than my best score to date. Still, at least with stableford you can pick up if a hole is getting too out of hand.

true, but don't make a habit of it. if time isn't an issue try to think/play your way out of it irrespective of the final score.

 

[Fore]

Another question.

You have teed off a lovely shot down the middle of the fairway but out of sight slightly and think 'take that,no need for a provisional there'.
You get down the fairway and, as occasionally happens, no ball to be found. Do you really have to walk all the way back to the tee box to take another shot or is there an alternative course of action you can take?

 

[Leftie]

Can't find it?

Lost ball.

Go back and 3 off the tee.

If there is any doubt, play a provisional.

 

[Fore]

Thanks Leftie.

It just seems such a long winded thing to do having spent 5 minutes looking for it already. Is it something you have encountered before?

 

[Leftie]

Yes. Several times. It's usually the foxes at our course mainly when the course is not busy. In a friendly game, provided all agree that they are certain the ball should have been on the fairway then a ball is dropped where we think the original ball would have been. In a competition however, if you can't find it, haven't played a provisional, haven't seen it taken then it's the long trek back unfortunately.

If you see the animal, bird, ball thief, or whatever take the ball then the drop is legitimate even in competitions. Last time I played the 6th at The Addington I was on the green in two (I remember it well - it doesn't happen often ) and we watched a fox calmly walk onto the green and take the ball.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

If in any doubt at all always play a provisional. If not and you have to go back make sure you wave the next group through first.

 

[jammydodger]

The OP didn't ask for options........just what the penalty was

I didnt reply cos you'd already answered the question correctly

And I didn't reply because I knew you were standing behind him with the correct answer if he was wrong

LOL ,got me chuckling again

 

[Imurg]

Another question.

You have teed off a lovely shot down the middle of the fairway but out of sight slightly and think 'take that,no need for a provisional there'.
You get down the fairway and, as occasionally happens, no ball to be found. Do you really have to walk all the way back to the tee box to take another shot or is there an alternative course of action you can take?

This is one reason I don't like blind shots. I know they are traditional and add something to the game but the number of times I've played a blind tee shot into what I thought was the middle of the fairway only to not be able to find it - well I've lost count down the years.