The player may deem his ball unplayable at any place on the course except when the ball is in a water hazard. The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable. If the player deems his ball to be unplayable, he must, under penalty of one stroke: a. Play a ball [...]
Ball Lost or Out of Bounds; Provisional Ball
March 17, 2009 – 3:51 am
Ball Lost or Out of Bounds If a ball is lost or is out of bounds, the player must play a ball, under penalty of one stroke, as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5). Exceptions: 1. If there is reasonable evidence that the original [...]
Water Hazards (Including Lateral Water Hazards)
March 17, 2009 – 3:47 am
Relief for Ball in Water Hazard It is a question of fact whether a ball lost after having been struck toward a water hazard is lost inside or outside the hazard. In order to treat the ball as lost in the hazard, there must be reasonable evidence that the ball lodged in it. In the [...]
Abnormal Ground Conditions, Embedded Ball, and Wrong Putting Green
March 17, 2009 – 3:34 am
Abnormal Ground Conditions a. Interference Interference by an abnormal ground condition occurs when a ball lies in or touches the condition or when the condition interferes with the player’s stance or the area of his intended swing. If the player’s ball lies on the putting green, interference also occurs if an abnormal ground condition on [...]
Obstructions
March 17, 2009 – 3:28 am
Movable Obstruction A player may take relief without penalty from a movable obstruction as follows: a. If the ball does not lie in or on the obstruction, the obstruction may be removed. If the ball moves, it must be replaced, and there is no penalty provided that the movement of the ball is directly attributable [...]
