Full Version: A question about the rules
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Par 3, elevated green with bunker in front. My tee shot plugged in the sand immediately below the lip at the top of the trap. Trap was about 4-5 feet tall so I had to stand above the sand. Ball was burried to where I could only see about 3 dimples and was under the grass lip. I attempted to hit the ball out but only ended up burrying it deeper. At this point do I just have to keep swinging at it untill I get it out or can I take an unplayable lie? If unplayable lie than how do I score it? If I would have kept swinging at it I might never have gotten it out.
you can take an unplayable lie and drop back in the bunker. You are not entitled to relief outside the bunker after making a stroke at the original ball. You can deem your ball unplayable and drop within two clublengths of where the ball unplayable lies (but no nearer the hole and within the bunker) or youo can go back on a line from the hole through your ball as far back as needed, but remaining in the bunker. If neither provides sufficient relief, you must repeat the process under penalty until you feel you can play it.
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
It does, thanks! My only other question is could I have taken an unplayable lie before attempting to get the ball out the first time?
Yes.
QUOTE
It does, thanks! My only other question is could I have taken an unplayable lie before attempting to get the ball out the first time?
Also, remember that if you had taken an unplayable lie before you took a swing, one of your options would have been to go back to where you hit the ball into the bunker and try again.
QUOTE(Lefty44 @ Dec 16 2007, 12:09 PM) 
QUOTE
It does, thanks! My only other question is could I have taken an unplayable lie before attempting to get the ball out the first time?
Also, remember that if you had taken an unplayable lie before you took a swing, one of your options would have been to go back to where you hit the ball into the bunker and try again.
Thats interesting. I knew the options for and unplayable lie but had no idea they were different if you were in the bunker. Not sure how they break that down if you drop it you have to drop it in the bunker unless you take the option to go back to where you last hit one
Correct if I am wrong but JJ3 you can take and unplayable in the middle of the fairway if you want.
QUOTE
Rule 28. Ball Unplayable
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 as nearly as possible at the spot from which
the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or
b. Drop a ball behind the point where the ball lay, keeping
that point directly between the hole and the spot
on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far
behind that point the ball may be dropped; or
c. Drop a ball within two club-lengths of the spot where the
ball lay, but not nearer the hole.
If the unplayable ball is in a bunker, the player may proceed
under Clause a, b or c. If he elects to proceed under Clause b or
c, a ball must be dropped in the bunker.
When proceeding under this Rule, the player may lift and
clean his ball or substitute a ball.
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 as nearly as possible at the spot from which
the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or
b. Drop a ball behind the point where the ball lay, keeping
that point directly between the hole and the spot
on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far
behind that point the ball may be dropped; or
c. Drop a ball within two club-lengths of the spot where the
ball lay, but not nearer the hole.
If the unplayable ball is in a bunker, the player may proceed
under Clause a, b or c. If he elects to proceed under Clause b or
c, a ball must be dropped in the bunker.
When proceeding under this Rule, the player may lift and
clean his ball or substitute a ball.
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