Rules of Golf Explained (2023): Unplayable Ball

[@davelorenz3285]

The best way to avoid problems in the rough that results in a penalty stroke is to give the ball a short kick out to a playable spot. ( this is sometimes called a footwedge).. (This works great when no one is watching. )Then continue on with the next shot. ( the ball should never have ended up there anyway). This makes golf more fun and really helps your score. You’re welcome.

[@urbaniv]

So you mean cheating helps improving your score? You don't say 🙄

[@davelorenz3285]

@@urbaniv to repeat Einstein; I don’t debate with atheists in charge of ape mentality. Again hopefully I’ve caught you before you reproduce.😂

[@lunamotocross]

@@urbanivNo this is not cheating it’s called the Titleist Footwedge. Great club

[@TeezerDriz]

Nicely explained

[@Machoman510]

Back out of the bunker for two stokes....just to hit it back in? No thanks!

[@EvanDahill]

Not if you are a reasonably close distance behind the sand trap, you hit it in, declared the ball unplayable, bring it back out of the trap to the original spot you were hitting it from And take a ONE STROKE, penalty! . This is especially helpful for us stuffers who screw up on our lob shot and wind up, dribbling it into the sand.

[@Machoman510]

@@EvanDahill I was poking fun at the situation, but video at 1:27 says "comes with two penalty strokes"....

[@Randsurfer]

Question about option 2 (back on a line) for general area: The video shows and states that the ball can roll up to one club length from drop point in any direction including "forward". Q: What if the ball rolls forward and comes to rest closer to the hole than the original unplayable lie point? Generally, everything in golf includes the caveat: "not closer to the hole".

[@drew651]

So you are dropping the ball less then one club length from where your initial lie was? Why?

[@jessejohanni]

This is, imo, a valid question and exactly what I was wondering. There can be situations where the best option would be to declare "I'm dropping on the line", and then go back 1 centimeter and hoping that the ball will roll forward 1 meter on the drop. IF the "not closer to the hole" rule does not apply when dropping on the line, that is. And the clip does not say if it does.

[@jessejohanni]

Ok, so here's the answer (short version: can't be nearer to the hole): "19.2b Back-on-the-Line Relief The player may drop the original ball or another ball (see Rule 14.3) behind the spot of the original ball, keeping the spot of the original ball between the hole and the spot where the ball is dropped (with no limit as to how far back the ball may be dropped). The spot on the line where the ball first touches the ground when dropped creates a relief area that is one club-length in any direction from that point, but with these limits: Limits on Location of Relief Area: Must not be nearer the hole than the spot of the original ball, and May be in any area of the course, but Must be in the same area of the course that the ball first touched when dropped."

[@Randsurfer]

@@drew651 Why not?

[@Randsurfer]

@@jessejohanni Thanks for doing the research.

[@EvanDahill]

Whoa! This explanation leaves out one of the most important and stroke, saving situations. If you declare your ball unplayable in a sand trap, you can also take it back in a stroke distance situation with ONE STROKE PENALTY! This becomes very advantageous if you are, let’s say 10 to 20 feet behind the sand trap, and flub your shot into the sand. 😢. You simply declare your ball unplayable, and bring it out of the trap for a one stroke drop at the spot where you flubbed the initial shot. I’d like to see anyone post USGA actual rules forbiding this play.

[@nm8111]

That is a genius move!

[@nm8111]

This would apply if you are on the green too. Let's say you are on the green and you putt (too hard) past the hole and the ball rolls off into a bunker.... you can declare it unplayable and put it back on the green where you initially struck the putt from (for one stroke penalty) and then hit your next putt more gently this time!

[@rhysretemeyer]

What if I go straight over the green and it’s unplayable? Can I follow the line back to the green?

[@jimiverson3085]

Nope. "No nearer the hole" is the governing rule.

[@apaulmcdonough2170]

In 'Back on the Line' Relief the Line STARTS at the Hole, goes through the Location of the Ball - OR the Point where the Ball crossed the Margin of the Penalty Area - and continues AWAY from the Hole. *Your better option might be 'Stroke and Distance' Relief.* Go back to where you originally hit the Shot that flew the Green.

[@Mobius1_]

Free foot wedge. Got it!

[@apaulmcdonough2170]

Your Demonstrator SHOULDN'T be bending her Knees AND her Ankles as She prepares to Drop her Ball. This lowers the height of the Knees.

[@drew651]

I am curious how you bend your knees and not your ankles when standing...

[@apaulmcdonough2170]

@drew651 by bending at the HIPS and KNEES to get your hand to Knee Level, while keeping your Tibias VERTICAL. Ankle Flexion LOWERS the Height of the Knees.

[@litarea]

her top is wild, love it

[@jonchadwick1171]

Under the new rules, it would probably be more efficient and time saving, in a majority of cases, if the area where the ball is unplayable is in an area marked off as a red penalty area. Same penalty strokes and a much better chance of getting a better lie and angle to the green etc.

[@apaulmcdonough2170]

1) There's NO Relief for Unplayable Ball in a Penalty Area. 2) Unplayable Ball is the Player's determination in any of the 3 applicable Areas of the Course.

[@golfpsy]

I use an invisible golf ball, so you just have to trust me on where it ends up.

[@raoulh.4440]

Not invisible, just lost.

[@expansioniskeyrn]

2nd option you can go back as far* as you want. Then drop within a club length.

[@elzorromagico]

2023 update = evidently drop ON the line and ball can roll up to 1 club length

[@Chaz1724]

If u take a penalty drop from a bunker you’re soft

[@Jammin_Ham]

😂

[@Redskies453]

In extreme cases there is no stance. I've played off a steep face plugged, only just able to swing without falling. If I was old I would drop.

[@Chaz1724]

@@Redskies453 if people can climb Mt Everest, then there should be no bunker too steep to hit from

[@Redskies453]

@@Chaz1724 that's my policy. Worst case it rolls back in the bunker where you were dropping anyway. I just don't want the old timers to slip and fall. I've saved many a par from hectic positions.

[@Chaz1724]

@@Redskies453 I don’t mind if old timers slip and fall, these courses are getting too crowded anyways.

[@theliftexpert]

This is great information for all amateur golfers 🏌️‍♂️