# Rule 19: Unplayable Ball (The R&A and USGA Rules of Golf)

Golf · Rule 19: Unplayable Ball · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/golf/laws/rule-19-unplayable-ball/)

Who decides and where unplayable relief is allowed, stroke and distance, back-on-the-line and lateral relief, and the options for an unplayable ball in a bunker.

## 19.191 Unplayable Ball

Who decides and where, stroke and distance, back on the line, lateral relief, and a ball in a bunker.

### Test 1: Who decides, and where unplayable relief is allowed

- The player is the only person who may decide to treat their ball as unplayable. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.1)
- The player may treat the ball as unplayable anywhere except a penalty area, whatever the lie. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.1)
- Unplayable relief is not available in a penalty area; the player's relief is under Rule 17. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.1)
- The caddie may advise, but deciding to take unplayable relief belongs to the player. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.1; Rule 10.3b(3))
- Rule 19 covers the general area and the putting green, and bunkers under Rule 19.3. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.1; Rule 19.2)
- Each of the normal unplayable options costs one penalty stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2)
- There is no requirement that the ball be impossible to play. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.1)
- The decision and the choice of option are the player's. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.1; Rule 19.2)
- Rule 19.2a, b and c in turn. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2)
- B is inside a red penalty area. Unplayable relief is allowed in the general area (A), in a bunker (C) and on the green (D). (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.1)

### Test 2: Stroke and distance for an unplayable ball

- Stroke and distance may be used even if the ball has not been found. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2)
- Both options are measured from the spot of the original ball, so that spot must be known. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2)
- Stroke and distance returns the player to the teeing area, where the ball may be teed. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2a; Rule 14.6a)
- From the general area, the ball is dropped within one club-length of the previous spot. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2a; Rule 14.6b)
- The tee shot and one penalty stroke make the next tee shot the third. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2a)
- From the putting green, the ball is placed on the spot of the previous stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2a; Rule 14.6c)
- Both play again from where the previous stroke was made, with one penalty stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2a; Rule 18.1)
- With no spot to measure from, stroke and distance is the only option. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2a)
- The replayed tee shot is the third stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2a)
- Only stroke and distance (A) works without knowing the ball's spot. B, C and D are measured from a spot nobody knows. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2)

### Test 3: Back on the line

- The spot of the original ball is kept between the hole and the spot where the ball is dropped. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2b)
- There is no limit on how far back on the line the ball may be dropped. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2b)
- It must stop within one club-length, in the same area of the course it first touched. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2b)
- The relief area must not be nearer the hole than the spot of the original ball. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2b)
- The relief area may be in any area of the course, as long as it is the area first touched. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2b)
- Back-on-the-line relief requires the drop on the line itself. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2b; Rule 14.3b(3))
- Back on the line is one of the standard options, so the price is the same single stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2)
- The line runs from the hole through the ball's spot. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2b)
- Any point on the line behind the original spot may be used, with no limit on how far back; the nearer drop spot simply comes before the farther one. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2b)
- A is on the line behind the ball. B is in front, nearer the hole, C is off the line and D is beside the ball. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2b)

### Test 4: Lateral relief

- The lateral relief area is two club-lengths from the reference point. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2c)
- The reference point is the spot of the original ball. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2c)
- When the ball lies above the ground, the reference point is the spot directly below it. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2c)
- The relief area must not be nearer the hole than the reference point. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2c)
- With more than one area in range, the ball must stop in the area it first touched when dropped. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2c)
- Lateral relief works from a putting green as it does from the general area. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2)
- A club-length is the length of the longest club the player has, other than a putter. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Club-Length)
- From below the ball, two club-lengths, not nearer the hole. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2c)
- Lateral relief is measured from the ball's own spot. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2c)
- A fits both limits. B moves towards the hole, and C and D are beyond the circle. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.2c)

### Test 5: Unplayable ball in a bunker

- For a ball in a bunker, back-on-the-line and lateral relief must be taken in the bunker. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.3a)
- Staying in the bunker keeps the cost at a single stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.3a)
- The extra option outside the bunker costs two penalty strokes in all. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.3b)
- Going back to the previous spot is open from a bunker as from anywhere. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.3a)
- Rule 25.4n reduces the extra option to one stroke for players using a wheeled mobility device. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.3b; Rule 25.4n)
- Lateral relief for a ball in a bunker must be dropped in and come to rest in the bunker. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.3a)
- Tee shot plus two penalty strokes: the next stroke is the fourth. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.3b)
- Leaving the bunker on the line is the two-stroke option. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.3b)
- Lateral relief in the bunker adds one stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.3a)
- C is back on the line outside the bunker, the two-stroke option. A (lateral in the bunker), B (on the line in it) and D (stroke and distance) cost one. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 19.3)

Sources: Rules of Golf, effective January 2023 (The R&A and USGA), Rule 19 and the Definitions (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

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