Can I Drop My Ball Out Of A Bunker?

[@frankokeeffe5399]

"Love these Video's", Clear precise explanations of difficult situations.. Well done again..

[@hannahholdenNCG]

thank you!

[@quannga99]

After learning all the golf rules, I became a lawyer.

[@jeffpotter9599]

Rule 18.1 stroke and distance you may go back to where you hit your previous shot and take a 1 stroke penalty.

[@msalzberg4962]

That only applies to a lost ball, or ball out of bounds, not from a bunker. "When your ball is lost outside a penalty area or comes to rest out of bounds, the required progression of playing from the teeing area to the hole is broken; you must resume that progression by playing again from where the previous stroke was made."

[@dalelaframboise805]

Rule 19.3 for a one stroke penalty you can apply stroke & distance from a bunker. You always have the option to go back to where you hit your last shot from. We have a particular deep left side bunker on a 120 yard par 3. If l land in there l go back to the hit to hit my third shot with less club to stay out of trouble. This rule part of unplayable lie rule 19 can come in handy.

[@jeffpotter9599]

@@dalelaframboise805 thank you I can’t tell you how many people have tried to say I’m wrong on this…

[@apaulmcdonough2170]

​@msalzberg4962 Stroke and Distance can be used at anytime you do not like the Result of the Previous Stroke.

[@apaulmcdonough2170]

​@@dalelaframboise805actually you don't need an "Unplayable Ball" to invoke Stroke and Distance Penalty Relief. S&D is allowed at anytime you wish to invoke it, simply by preference.

[@bigdogpete43]

I was embedded in a bunker lip just the other day. Impossible to play. I had no idea about the rule. Thanks for this.

[@johnslocombe2777]

Is that for just during the winter when Prefered Lies operate or is free releaf for embeded ball all year round? p.s. Love the vids.

[@chowlissy]

Very well explained and presented, thanks.

[@JayRobertsGolf]

Hi Hannah, when taking Lateral Relief for Unplayable, the size of the relief area is 2 club-lengths, not 1 :) Also, when taking Back-on-the-line relief, there is no pre-determined relief area to drop in. You must drop the ball on the line and the ball can roll up to one club-length in any direction from where the ball first strikes the ground.

[@mattmalloff7377]

Yes, back on the line relief is always a 360 degree circle!

[@DanielMcDougall-f3f]

strange that this "rules" video remains up for so long - considering the referee's errors

[@richrosing]

Embedded ball, not unplayable. One club length. b. Relief for Embedded Ball When a player’s ball is embedded in the general area and relief is allowed under Rule 16.3a, the player may take free relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in this relief area (see Rule 14.3): • Reference Point: The spot in the general area right behind where the ball is embedded. • Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: One club-length, but with these limits: • Limits on Location of Relief Area: » Must be in the general area, and » Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point.

[@mikejones-go8vz]

But is the two club lengths either side of the ball which makes it one club length from the original ball position? I will look it up. Just looked it up, two club lengths as long as it’s still in the bunker 😃

[@Michael65429]

​@@mikejones-go8vzWhich rule are you quoting? There's a lot of erroneous information in the comments...

[@paulmcgee1867]

Hi Hannah could you do a short video on green’s etiquette and repairing pitch marks and when is the correct moment to do so? Thanks

[@kevochanner8859]

With the last embedded ball what happens if you drop and it goes in the bunker, is it in play or can you get it out and drop again?

[@apaulmcdonough2170]

Embedded Ball has to be in the General Area to get Free Relief, and the Relief Area must also be in the General Area. In the Case you stated, you would have to Drop a Second Time in the GA Relief Area and if the Ball moves Outside the Relief Area again, you would then Place the Ball where it made Contact with the Ground during the Second Drop.

[@jeremydavidson9194]

And if the ball is stuck UNDER the sod at the top(green side) of the bunker?

[@hannahholdenNCG]

In the sand under the turf line? If so that is in the bunker and you have to play it or take a penalty drop

[@DarrenSteele-mx3ks]

Wow Hello, Hannah!

[@mrcryptozoic817]

Just like baseball, if you don't have a rule app on your phone, you don't know whether you broke a rule or not. And even then, you're not sure. Judging from the comments, even the PGA Rules Professional cannot articulate the rules correctly.

[@AnotherLostBall]

Where should rakes be placed? I’ve hit a rake and deflected into the bunker which feels unfair. But where’s the right place to leave them?

[@Michael65429]

Generally speaking, in an area out of the way or in the bunker (most courses ask that you place them in the bunker).

[@marksullivan4920]

Always outside the bunker, never in the bunker. See other comments on why should never be left in a bunker. Maintenance staff want them left in the bunker because they don't want to have to move them when cutting the grass, but it could cost a player a penalty shot if left in the bunker.

[@msalzberg4962]

@@marksullivan4920 But it could cost the player a penalty if a rake outside the bunker deflects the ball into it. If your ball is in the bunker, it's already there. The rake won't cost you anything; it's a movable obstruction. It may leave you in a worse position than otherwise, but, as I said, you're already in the bunker.

[@andrewpratt6852]

1min 53sec: one club length each side = 2 club lengths each side......?

[@Michael65429]

Is that the new common core math?😅

[@kennethdias9988]

Unplayable leave it in 1 stroke Unplayable move it out of the bunker 2 strokes

[@vivboot1163]

If you declare your ball unplayable in a bunker my understanding is that one of the options for taking relief is that you can play the ball again from the place it was originally hit from but that wasn’t shown as an option

[@hannahholdenNCG]

Yes you can

[@katemitchell8690]

Where you originally hit from=2 strokes

[@jeffpotter9599]

No….1 stroke

[@Michael65429]

​@@jeffpotter9599Sorry, but it is a 2 stroke penalty for taking relief outside the bunker. Study carefully...😊

[@jeffpotter9599]

@@Michael65429 please check rule 18.1 …. At ANY TIME the player elect to go back to his spot of previous play and re-hit taking 1 stoke penalty. Stoke and distance. Tell me I’m wrong.

[@stevewhiting5672]

Unplayable ball Rule 19.2c Lateral relief is 2 club lengths not 1 club length from where the ball lies. The example shown is wrong.

[@Michael65429]

Sorry but Rule 19.2c doesn't apply in this situation, a bunker. That rule applies to a ball lying in a tree or bush. Look at the illustrated diagram that's included in the rule book.

[@stevewhiting5672]

See 19.3a which refers back to 19.2c 2nd bullet point

[@msalzberg4962]

Rule 19.2 only applies to balls in the general area or the putting green, not in bunkers. "Relief Options for Unplayable Ball in General Area or on Putting Green." Rule 19.3 is the applicable rule. "Relief Options for Unplayable Ball in Bunker."

[@whitneymacdonald4396]

As a person who has no idea of golf rules, this is very helpful. Thanks.

[@stephencarlisle3743]

You can’t beat having practical examples of rule situations. Great series

[@hannahholdenNCG]

Thanks!

[@thetowndrunk988]

Dropping outta the bunker is the smart play, until you’re as bad as me, and hit right back into the bunker…..

[@virgilcoxon6371]

I have a question for you. We have a golf course and some of the bunkers along the top edges get washed out from water and grass grows in those areas. Normally ball would roll down to bottom but once I got it stuck in the grass in one of those washed out areas. What’s the ruling? Relief, play it as it lies, or what?

[@Groobs100]

my ball was lodged in think grass on the side of a steep bunker. Am I ok the get a free drop somwhere either in the bunker or outside the bunker. fyi, the ball was only playable if i reached up and somehow hack managed to hack it down into the bunker.

[@elliottschofield4291]

I am loving these real world, example, rule videos that you have been doing. Thanks!

[@MC-nb6jx]

Just come back and chip back over it🤔🤔 Just come back and chip back into it😉😉

[@hannahholdenNCG]

🤣🤣

[@UnknownMoses]

I thought they changed the touching the ground in a hazard.

[@dazaaw]

The two stroke penalty drop isn’t used enough on links bunkers by high handicappers were there is no way on earth anyone unless an extremely talented player can get the ball back into play . I’ve seen people rack up double digits by nit taking the 2 shot penalty.. good remainder for people..!!😊

[@hannahholdenNCG]

Yes such a good rule to know for deep bunkers!!

[@goodmaro]

If the ball is embedded so deeply that you can't hit it without the club face's hitting the sand, is that an exception to the prohibition on grounding the club?

[@hannahholdenNCG]

No. The grounding rule is just before you start your swing it doesn’t affect hitting the sand at impact

[@willirenkens7445]

The procedure at 3:10 is not correct! If you go back to the line, you are not allowed to take the one club lenght sideways. Rory McIlroy was penalised for this with two additional penalty strokes.

[@marksullivan4920]

Not sure when this video was recorded. 2019 to 2022 the video is correct the relief area was 1 club length for back on line relief. As of 2023 the rule was updated to be that ball must be dropped on line, and then can roll up to 1 club length (relief area).

[@billygraham5589]

Does anyone know what you do if your dropped ball rolls back into the bunker? Drop it again and if it rolls in again place it where it first lands in the relief area?

[@hannahholdenNCG]

Yes, you would drop it twice and then place it if it still didn't stay still. You need to make sure the ball isn't nearer the hole during this.

[@mrbshouse3910]

great video, very straight forward,

[@georgewilson197]

My club says the rakes have to go back in the bunker, is that not just a stupid idea.

[@msalzberg4962]

Nope. If your ball hits a rake that's outside the bunker, and ricochets into it, you've been unfairly penalized. If your ball hits a rake when it's in the bunker, well, you're already in it.

[@Fantalife_th]

นี่สิคำว่าอาจารย์ของจริง❤

[@darthvader1402]

Thanks for this video. It has made it clear about the rules and penalties applied. I see this video is a year old, but I thought over a year now they changed the bunker rules so you can ground your club when addressing the ball and not be penalized. Can you confirm this?

[@petersmith9470]

No such thing as an unplayable lie in a bunker. Every lie is playable with the only problem being the possibility of damage. That the only case where you can drop nearer the hole legally

[@connorhauss6044]

Play it as it lies

[@antd684]

When the ball was against the rake and when replaced wouldn't stay. I have been told to place the ball on a line behind the spot on a line with the hole nd continue to do this until I could place the ball without it moving. Not the nearest point which could be to the side of where the ball came to rest. I my case the rake was left below the lip of the bunker and the nearest point it remained at rest is where it probably would have rolled to if the rake hadn't been there.

[@davidoutside]

i learned a lot today but the main thing is that hannah is great out of the bunker haha

[@Revellien]

What about re hit under stroke and distance?

[@hannahholdenNCG]

You can also take stroke and distance 👍🏼

[@Michael65429]

But it's a 2 stroke penalty for taking relief outside the bunker...

[@johnhussey63]

@@Michael65429 That's for taking unplayable ball relief. Stroke and distance is a different entity and the "extra" shot is absorbed in the extra distance required.

[@msalzberg4962]

@@johnhussey63 Still a two stroke penalty for removing the ball from the bunker. Rule 19.3

[@johnhussey63]

@@msalzberg4962 Two stroke penalty is if you are taking back in line relief under Rule 19.3. Relief under Stroke and Distance is a one shot penalty - Rule 18.1. You do not have to use 19.3, instead you can elect to proceed under Rule 18.1 (i.e. you have a choice of two different rules in this situation. Proceeding under 18.1 is a one shot penalty. Proceeding under 19.3 is a two shot penalty. Hope this clarifies.

[@frankiebenson3212]

Hannah, David as a professional should be aware of 18.1 rule stroke and distance. By dropping the ball at its original position from where it was struck , he did not explain that, so one can only assume he does not know all the rules. ( David Rishworth needs to go back to school.)

[@msalzberg4962]

Rule 18.1 only applies to lost balls or ball in penalty areas. It does not apply to balls in bunkers.

[@fredhicks7483]

If you move the rake and the ball moves...no problem, just replace the ball. If you remove a stick and your ball moves it's a penalty. Why?

[@lesliefuller1456]

Because the rake is a man made object,( free relief ). A twig is a natural object, ( no relief ). You can sometimes remove stones from bunkers even though they are a natural object but this is purely from the perspective of it being potentially dangerous.

[@Betleyman7853]

What happens with a plugged ball if there is no point of relief outside the bunker which is not closer to the hole?

[@grahamstevenson410]

Following

[@Betleyman7853]

@@grahamstevenson410 I think the answer is that if no free relief can be taken options are either take unplayable ball relief (back on line) under penalty or play it as it lies.

[@apaulmcdonough2170]

That is highly unlikely, because you need to visualize a Triangle A = Distance of Ball to Hole. B = Club-Length C = New Distance to the Hole. As long as C = A, or C is greater than A then you are Legal

[@Betleyman7853]

@@apaulmcdonough2170 it's unlikely but not impossible (there are KZbin vids covering it) and I believe the rules have now been amended so the in these circumstances you can drop on the nearest part of the general no closer to the hole if no relief is available within one club length.

[@Notalwaysrightbutmostly]

At this point you consider if this is the game you really want to play , what sort of game has rules that most of the players misinterpret or simply don’t know .Should there be a referee and an appeals committee on every hole that would help us out no end.

[@leub01]

It’s a two stroke penalty for a drop out of a bunker not one.

[@hannahholdenNCG]

It says that at 3:15

[@leub01]

@@hannahholdenNCG if you read a few more comments you would have seen some one else was saying the pro was wrong when he said it was a two stroke penalty stating it was only one stroke.

[@baccattack]

Tricky stance on the last one. Could you have taken relief in line with the hole back behind the bunker?

[@grahamstevenson410]

Following

[@marksullivan4920]

No you can not, the reference point for an embedded ball is the spot in the general area immediately behind the ball. The relief area is 1 club length from the reference point, no closer to the hole. Only if there is not a spot in the general area within 1 club length of the reference point would you then possibly be able to go behind the bunker. In this case your reference point would change to the nearest point in the general area no closer the hole, so it could be to the sides as well.

[@golfknowledge5811]

Fantastic yet again Hannah and supporting act David.

[@wednesdayblues3845]

There's also a 4th option if your ball is plugged, under the face or in any place in the bunker where you don't fancy taking on the shot. You can take a drop under Rule 19 Unplayable Ball, and play the ball from where you played your previous stroke (the shot you played into the bunker), under the stroke and distance rule for a 1 stroke penalty. In certain circumstances this could be helpful If you wanted to play from a place out of the bunker, and would avoid the 2 stroke penalty that going back on a line to hole would incur.

[@hannahholdenNCG]

Yes good point

[@Michael65429]

Sorry, but rule 19.3 specifically states the player incurs a 2 stroke penalty for taking relief outside the bunker.

[@Michael65429]

​@@hannahholdenNCGRule 19.3 specifically states the player must take a 2 stroke penalty for taking relief outside the bunker. Please read all components of rule 19...

[@markmccombes7874]

​@@Michael65429 Cut and pasted from the R&A rules site: A player decides that their ball in a bunker is unplayable. The player has four options: 1. For one penalty stroke, the player may take stroke-and-distance relief. 2. For one penalty stroke, the player may take back-on-the-line relief in the bunker. 3. For one penalty stroke, the player may take lateral relief in the bunker. 4. For a total of two penalty strokes, the player may take back-on-the-line relief outside the bunker.

[@abwhitman2]

@@markmccombes7874if you went with #4 and went back on the line to where you originally hit, how would that differ from #1 other that costing yourself another stroke?

[@erichansen3641]

I would like to offer a correction here please... You actually get two club lengths relief not one, for unplayable lie in the sand, when taking relief from the ball's original position. You get one club length relief for unplayable lie in the sand, when taking relief from other than the ball's original position. I would like to also bring up the subject of foot prints made in the sand in the drop area. This appears to be building a lie, which is only allowed on the tee box. So if the drop area is not allowed to be raked? then the ball needs to be dropped in virgin sand and not on top of a footprint to avoid a penalty of 2 strokes in addition to the 1 stroke for unplayable lie. What do you all think?

[@Michael65429]

Please quote the specific rule that says 2 club lengths.

[@erichansen3641]

@@Michael65429 The Rule is 19.2c. Lateral Relief.

[@edward7555]

𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕞𝕠𝕤𝕞

[@serenadenphoto]

David said that the preferred place for the rake is outside the bunker. I have always been told that the rake should be left in the bunker. On this video there is even a holder for the rake placed in the bunker. I'm confused.

[@hannahholdenNCG]

Just his preference! I think outside or on the flat bit of the bunker is best as it means the ball generally won’t move when you move the rake!

[@kevos65]

I remember being told to leave it just inside the bunker because a rolling ball could be stopped from going into the sand by the rake if left outside..damned if you do and damned if you don't 😁

[@marksullivan4920]

The reason to leave the rake outside the bunker is because if your ball comes to rest against the rake in a bunker and you can't find a place no closer to the hole in the bunker in which the ball will rest, then it will cost you a 1 shot penalty to place the ball outside the bunker. This can easily occur if the rake is left on a slope on the back side of the bunker and your ball rolls into bunker.

[@msalzberg4962]

@@marksullivan4920 The reason to leave the rake inside the bunker is because a ball not otherwise going into the bunker may be deflected into it, penalizing an otherwise safe shot. Leaving the rake in the bunker, on a flat spot will cause the least possible damage.

[@marksullivan4920]

@msalzberg4962 that has nothing to do with the rules of golf. The same rake could also stop your ball from going in to the bunker, that is rub of the green. However if your ball comes to rest in a bunker against the rake, and you can't find a place in the bunker where your ball will stay when place that is not nearer the hole, you would have to take a penalty to put your ball back into play. Having to take a penalty because a rake is left in a bunker is worse than a possible bad bounce off a rake into a bunker. That is why David states to leave rake out of bunker, it's a recommendation in The Rules of Golf.

[@rafabonati7757]

This was an amazing video on the rules regarding sand bunkers that likely the majority of golfers have no idea about. So great!

[@Michael65429]

The majority of golfers ignore the rules, or make them up as they go!😊

[@ladiadegbite]

I hit my ball onto the green, it rolls down the side into a deep bunker, i declare the ball unplayable and choose to opt for back on the line 2 point penalty. The only place to drop is on the green not nearer the hole?

[@apaulmcdonough2170]

NO, because "the Line" starts at the Hole, goes through the Position of the Ball and extends away from the Ball and Hole. The Line has nothing to do with the Direction the Ball had traveled to arrive at its Position.

[@keithpanco]

Was playing in a sanctioned tournament at the Copperhead years ago. Bladed my approach, and it embedded into the face of the bunker under the grass. Rules official said the bunker ends when the grass begins, so my ball was embedded. I was allowed to drop it behind the embed, and it rolled to the bottom of the bunker. Took my third shot there.

[@apaulmcdonough2170]

@@keithpanco you "Played from a Wrong Place". Embedded Ball Relief must always remain in the Same Area of the Course, since your Ball had been Embedded in the General Area, your Drop that ended inside the Bunker was an Improper Drop and you were required to Drop at least twice with the Ball landing in and remaining in your proper Relief Area. Dropping Inside the Bunker for a truly Embedded Ball is NOT Allowed.

[@keithpanco]

@@apaulmcdonough2170 i will contact the tournament committee right away. It happened in 2013, so they may not remember me. I hope they don't take away the $25 gift card I won for finishing 10th.

[@russellord1830]

Very good, but need to work on getting it closer 😃

[@hannahholdenNCG]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@firstname4337]

WRONG -- dropping it out of the bunker is a ONE shot penalty

[@paulgouge1896]

Only if you take stroke and distance; back in line outside bunker is 2 strokes.

[@marksullivan4920]

WRONG dropping a ball outside the bunker using back on line relief option is a 2 shot penalty. See Rule 19.3b

[@msalzberg4962]

Wrong. Rule 19.3b.