Unplayable ball Q

ForeRight

Ball goes into trees. It is sitting under a tree and is just impossible to hit.
I deem it unplayable.

Do I take nearest point of relief and drop which leaves me in the trees with no shot?
Do I take a drop back on line with the tee box on the line it came in which now gives me a clear strike to a green although I e taken the penalty drop?

Or something else?

I couldn't find the exact rule for claiming unplayable ball today when i needed too.


Cheers.

bustercherry

ForeRight wrote: »

Ball goes into trees. It is sitting under a tree and is just impossible to hit.
I deem it unplayable.

Do I take nearest point of relief and drop which leaves me in the trees with no shot?
Do I take a drop back on line with the tee box on the line it came in which now gives me a clear strike to a green although I e taken the penalty drop?

Or something else?

I couldn't find the exact rule for claiming unplayable ball today when i needed too.


Cheers.

Seriously

8under

See Rules of Golf, Rule 28, page 102.

DiegoWorst

ForeRight wrote: »

Ball goes into trees. It is sitting under a tree and is just impossible to hit.
I deem it unplayable.

Do I take nearest point of relief and drop which leaves me in the trees with no shot?
Do I take a drop back on line with the tee box on the line it came in which now gives me a clear strike to a green although I e taken the penalty drop?

Or something else?

I couldn't find the exact rule for claiming unplayable ball today when i needed too.
Cheers.

Judging from some of the things I've seen over the years, you could possibly add the following options:
1) give the ball a little kick into the clear, and play the next shot without penalty
2) declare you're not sure if the ball is yours, put down a tee peg lift the ball, "oh yeah, that's mine alright" and place it back a couple of feet away from original resting place, so as to give yourself room for some sort of swing at it.
3) roughly estimate two club lengths, and drop the ball three and a half club lengths away.

The rule is very clear, so much so that nobody should ever get it wrong, yet I doubt the correct rules are fully adhered to much more than 50% of the time
Unless the tree(s) are staked, and are covered by a local "nearest point of relief" rule, your choices are:
1) penalty drop within two club lengths of where the ball came to rest, no nearer the hole
2) keeping the point at which the ball came to rest in line with the hole, go back as far as you wish on that line, and drop under penalty of one stroke
3) go back to where you played your previous shot from, drop the ball under penalty of one stroke, or if it was a tee shot that got you into trouble, tee it up again for your third shot

GreeBo

ForeRight wrote: »

Ball goes into trees. It is sitting under a tree and is just impossible to hit.
I deem it unplayable.

Do I take nearest point of relief and drop which leaves me in the trees with no shot?
Do I take a drop back on line with the tee box on the line it came in which now gives me a clear strike to a green although I e taken the penalty drop?

Or something else?

I couldn't find the exact rule for claiming unplayable ball today when i needed too.


Cheers.

The bit in bold is something you have made up Im afraid.

1) 2 club lengths from where the ball currently is. If thats still in the trees then tough. If however it rolls back behind the same obstacle or closer to the hole or more than two club lengths you redrop. If the second drop has the same issues then you place at the point the ball first struck the course on the second drop.
2) Its back as far as you want in line with the flag, not the tee.
3) Replay the last shot, if it was from a tee you can re tee it.


/edit oops, didnt read Diego's post fully...

ForeRight

Thanks lads

Whyner

ForeRight wrote: »

Ball goes into trees. It is sitting under a tree and is just impossible to hit.
I deem it unplayable.

Do I take nearest point of relief and drop which leaves me in the trees with no shot?
Do I take a drop back on line with the tee box on the line it came in which now gives me a clear strike to a green although I e taken the penalty drop?

Or something else?

I couldn't find the exact rule for claiming unplayable ball today when i needed too.


Cheers.

That's really poor, the rule is called "Ball Unplayable" and is listed in the contents section. No idea how you missed it.

Pull the socks up OP. I suggest you spend some time doing this - http://www.randa.org/en/Rules-and-Amateur-Status/Rules-Quiz.aspx

ForeRight

Whyner wrote: »

ForeRight wrote: »

Ball goes into trees. It is sitting under a tree and is just impossible to hit.
I deem it unplayable.

Do I take nearest point of relief and drop which leaves me in the trees with no shot?
Do I take a drop back on line with the tee box on the line it came in which now gives me a clear strike to a green although I e taken the penalty drop?

Or something else?

I couldn't find the exact rule for claiming unplayable ball today when i needed too.


Cheers.

That's really poor, the rule is called "Ball Unplayable" and is listed in the contents section. No idea how you missed it.

Pull the socks up OP. I suggest you spend some time doing this - http://www.randa.org/en/Rules-and-Amateur-Status/Rules-Quiz.aspx

Just pulled them up. Ask me anything now, I know everything.

Alrite Chief

Jeez a fella only asks a question and lads throw all sorts of smart arse comments. What would of been wrong with just setting him straight?

If someone on the golf course asked for you to clarify a rule would you sneer and say 'seriously'? Where's the love.

Almaviva

Alrite Chief wrote: »

Jeez a fella only asks a question and lads throw all sorts of smart arse comments. What would of been wrong with just setting him straight?

If someone on the golf course asked for you to clarify a rule would you sneer and say 'seriously'? Where's the love.

Kind of a fair comment. But only kinda.

I dont think many would really sneer, nor should they. But they would say, or at least think, reasonably, 'seriously?'. While golf has its arcane rules, and even more obscure decisions on them, it is not unreasonable to expect someone on a golf course to have checked up on some of the more basic ones. Unless clearly 'learning' the game, then it is bizarre to find someone playing who would know not have at least the basic ones such as the OPs question shows he didnt.

GreeBo

Almaviva wrote: »

Kind of a fair comment. But only kinda.

I dont think many would really sneer, nor should they. But they would say, or at least think, reasonably, 'seriously?'. While golf has its arcane rules, and even more obscure decisions on them, it is not unreasonable to expect someone on a golf course to have checked up on some of the more basic ones. Unless clearly 'learning' the game, then it is bizarre to find someone playing who would know not have at least the basic ones such as the OPs question shows he didnt.

Likewise its not unreasonable to expect someone who is already on the internet to go to www.randa.org and find the answer for themselves....which I think is the cause for the annoyance.

ernieprice

Sorry Greebo but you are slightly wrong.
Decisions on the Rules of Golf 2012-2013

Decision 28/3
Q. A player deemed his ball unplayable and under rule 28c dropped his ball within 2 club-lengths of the spot where it lay. The ball came to rest in the original position or another position at which the ball was unplayable. What is the ruling?

A. The ball was in play when it was dropped - Rule 20-4. Thus, if the ball came to rest in the original position, the player must again invoke the unplayable ball Rule, incurring an additional penalty stroke, unless he decides to play the ball as it lies. The same applies if the ball came to rest in another position at which it was unplayable, assuming that the ball did not roll into a position covered by Rule 20-2c, in which case re-dropping without penalty would be required.

GreeBo

ernieprice wrote: »

Sorry Greebo but you are slightly wrong.
Decisions on the Rules of Golf 2012-2013

Decision 28/3
Q. A player deemed his ball unplayable and under rule 28c dropped his ball within 2 club-lengths of the spot where it lay. The ball came to rest in the original position or another position at which the ball was unplayable. What is the ruling?

A. The ball was in play when it was dropped - Rule 20-4. Thus, if the ball came to rest in the original position, the player must again invoke the unplayable ball Rule, incurring an additional penalty stroke, unless he decides to play the ball as it lies. The same applies if the ball came to rest in another position at which it was unplayable, assuming that the ball did not roll into a position covered by Rule 20-2c, in which case re-dropping without penalty would be required.

Right you are, I didnt realise you didnt get the redrop for unplayables
(its only if you are dropping due to: immovable obstruction,abnormal ground conditions,wrong putting green, embedded or a Local Rule)

Seems mad to me tbh. I guess maybe its to do with the difficulty in definining exactly what it is you are getting relief from in an unplayable situation.

Moral of the story, be sure that an unplayable drop is going to get you relief before you drop!

ForeRight

Well how about that.

Turns out I'm not the only one who doesn't know absolutely everything in the rule book.

TheDoc

Whyner wrote: »

That's really poor, the rule is called "Ball Unplayable" and is listed in the contents section. No idea how you missed it.

Pull the socks up OP. I suggest you spend some time doing this - http://www.randa.org/en/Rules-and-Amateur-Status/Rules-Quiz.aspx

Are you able to read the rules from that high horse?

What is it with the piss poor attitude growing around hear lately. I noticed it on the bunker thread where I was carried on with a rule advised by playing partners that was incorrect.

Everyone makes mistakes
Nobody here is a professional golfer
Nobody here has completed the R&A qualifications
Its a forum where the hope is, as core functionality, that education takes place.

I'm long enough on the internet to not let trolling comments annoy me, but its a major put off to new posters or new players and re-inforces the snobby attitude of golf. I've seen less get infracted for on boards.

Everyone needs to take a step back when posting in threads like these to realise the OP's of said threads might be new to the game, or just genuinely not knowing the rules.

Tell me anyone that knows all the rules of golf of by heart and I'll tell you how good Cheryl Cole was in the sack last night...

TheDoc

ForeRight wrote: »

Well how about that.

Turns out I'm not the only one who doesn't know absolutely everything in the rule book.

You can add me to that list, and I don't feel one iota of shame or stupidity for admitting I don't know all the rules, or having to ask about rules.

Its how you learn.

ernieprice

ForeRight wrote: »

Well how about that.

Turns out I'm not the only one who doesn't know absolutely everything in the rule book.

Even the referees on the Pro Tours sometimes have to consult with another referee. The only reason I knew this rule is that I read through the "Decisions on the Rules of Golf." It's amazing some of the eye openers you come across

GreeBo

ernieprice wrote: »

Even the referees on the Pro Tours sometimes have to consult with another referee. The only reason I knew this rule is that I read through the "Decisions on the Rules of Golf." It's amazing some of the eye openers you come across

Pro's are the worst, remember Kevin Na hacking away in the trees and then asking could he go back to the tee!

DiegoWorst

GreeBo wrote: »

Pro's are the worst, remember Kevin Na hacking away in the trees and then asking could he go back to the tee!

It's amazing how the knowledge of golf rules differs among the Pros.
Your case of Kevin Na is a fine example, and there have been many other such incidents involving Pros. Could you ever see Paddy Harrington making such a slip? I think the guy recites each and every rule before going to bed at night I doubt Seve ever read the rule book in detail, but he educated a lot of people with some of ways he learned to exploit them to his own advantage.

For the most part, watching the Pros is a good way to learn the rules. A fine example of the unplayable lie rule was demonstrated by McDowell when he won Tiger's tournament a year or so ago. I think it was the last par 3 where he overshot the green into an unplayable lie, it looked for all the World that a 5 or even a 6 was on the cards as two club lengths would have left him in trouble, and he didn't fancy hitting the tee shot again. It was a joy to watch him and the caddie work out a route to an amazing bogey that kept him in the tournament. He ended up taking a penalty drop near another tee box beyond the trouble off the back the green he was playing, and got up and down from there.

Whyner

Alrite Chief wrote: »

Jeez a fella only asks a question and lads throw all sorts of smart arse comments. What would of been wrong with just setting him straight?

If someone on the golf course asked for you to clarify a rule would you sneer and say 'seriously'? Where's the love.

Ok, you may have got me on a bad day but I thought my comments were fair. The OP said he looked the rule up but couldn't find the exact rule. I don't understand how you could look it up and not find it. It's not like it's a subsection.

OP - Where did you look it up? In fairness it is one of the most basic rules in golf and can be a little bit infuriating when people don't know it or as in this case, can't even find it

I don't think I insulted the OP and did point him to the rules explorer where I've spent a few hours myself understanding the rules

Of course I'd be polite if someone asked me for a ruling. It's when that same person asks me 2, 3 and 4 more times for the same ruling that I get annoyed

ForeRight

Whyner wrote: »

Alrite Chief wrote: »

Jeez a fella only asks a question and lads throw all sorts of smart arse comments. What would of been wrong with just setting him straight?

If someone on the golf course asked for you to clarify a rule would you sneer and say 'seriously'? Where's the love.

Ok, you may have got me on a bad day but I thought my comments were fair. The OP said he looked the rule up but couldn't find the exact rule. I don't understand how you could look it up and not find it. It's not like it's a subsection.

OP - Where did you look it up? In fairness it is one of the most basic rules in golf and can be a little bit infuriating when people don't know it or as in this case, can't even find it

I don't think I insulted the OP and did point him to the rules explorer where I've spent a few hours myself understanding the rules

Of course I'd be polite if someone asked me for a ruling. It's when that same person asks me 2, 3 and 4 more times for the same ruling that I get annoyed

I only asked once and you seem to have been annoyed.
I looked it up in the rules book that you can pick up in the pro shops but I was unclear on exactly what to do as I was only finding rulings on unplayable ball due to damage etc.
Sure greenbo got the ruling wrong in his reply to me also somaybe it's not as basic as you think. Everything is fine and simple when you know every in and out of the rules like you seem too.
I didn't want to take an eternity sorting it out as people were waiting to tee off behind us.

Whyner

TheDoc wrote: »

Are you able to read the rules from that high horse?

What is it with the piss poor attitude growing around hear lately. I noticed it on the bunker thread where I was carried on with a rule advised by playing partners that was incorrect.

Everyone makes mistakes
Nobody here is a professional golfer
Nobody here has completed the R&A qualifications
Its a forum where the hope is, as core functionality, that education takes place.

I'm long enough on the internet to not let trolling comments annoy me, but its a major put off to new posters or new players and re-inforces the snobby attitude of golf. I've seen less get infracted for on boards.

Everyone needs to take a step back when posting in threads like these to realise the OP's of said threads might be new to the game, or just genuinely not knowing the rules.

Tell me anyone that knows all the rules of golf of by heart and I'll tell you how good Cheryl Cole was in the sack last night...

Whyner, your on boards asking for people for advice on wedding rings and wedding outfits and god knows what else to do with your wedding. How would your reaction be if the people on there just mocked you for going on the internet for wedding advice, and told you to pull your socks up, your a ****ing man?

You've taken my post very seriously. Like I said in my last post I don't think I insulted the OP, slight over-reaction by you

Thanks for looking up my previous posts and posting them here, very mature. Hope you enjoyed that little sly dig. My response to that is that I'm looking for opinions/suggestions and not a fact that can be found in a book or on a website, big difference.

You're giving out about attitude here and then do that...

Whyner

ForeRight wrote: »

I only asked once and you seem to have been annoyed.
I looked it up in the rules book that you can pick up in the pro shops but I was unclear on exactly what to do as I was only finding rulings on unplayable ball due to damage etc.
Sure greenbo got the ruling wrong in his reply to me also somaybe it's not as basic as you think. Everything is fine and simple when you know every in and out of the rules like you seem too.
I didn't want to take an eternity sorting it out as people were waiting to tee off behind us.

Ah here, I'm not getting even further into this. Apologies if you think I got annoyed but we're not going to solve anything here

ForeRight

Whyner wrote: »

ForeRight wrote: »

I only asked once and you seem to have been annoyed.
I looked it up in the rules book that you can pick up in the pro shops but I was unclear on exactly what to do as I was only finding rulings on unplayable ball due to damage etc.
Sure greenbo got the ruling wrong in his reply to me also somaybe it's not as basic as you think. Everything is fine and simple when you know every in and out of the rules like you seem too.
I didn't want to take an eternity sorting it out as people were waiting to tee off behind us.

Ah here, I'm not getting even further into this. Apologies if you think I got annoyed but we're not going to solve anything here

I havnt slept a wink after your comment I'm so upset

TheDoc

Whyner wrote: »

You've taken my post very seriously. Like I said in my last post I don't think I insulted the OP, slight over-reaction by you

Thanks for looking up my previous posts and posting them here, very mature. Hope you enjoyed that little sly dig. My response to that is that I'm looking for opinions/suggestions and not a fact that can be found in a book or on a website, big difference.

You're giving out about attitude here and then do that...

It wasn't a sly dig, it is merely to make a point. It did come across as smart arsed and very snobby, and while you've posted that you accept it might be taken out of context, the point still stands.

I've removed the specific portion from my post, but I don't see there being a big difference, its asking for help or guidance, its all the same thing.

*I see Charlie has edited it, the " view users latest posts" is there for a reason, and I think it got the point accross*

8under

A quick question for you all.....

How many of you carry a copy of the rules in your golf bag ?

I always ensure I have the latest copy with me in my bag especially for inter club matches etc., I have had to refer to it on only a few occasions and it quickly resolved issues /doubts regarding a rule situation.

It also helps if you read a little bit of it from time to time so you become familiar with the rules. This also helps you get familiar with how to look up a particular rule quickly which is not easy if you have never referred to the rule book previously.

And it's one of the few things available nowadays for free !!!

TheDoc

8under wrote: »

A quick question for you all.....

How many of you carry a copy of the rules in your golf bag ?

I always ensure I have the latest copy with me in my bag especially for inter club matches etc., I have had to refer to it on only a few occasions and it quickly resolved issues /doubts regarding a rule situation.

It also helps if you read a little bit of it from time to time so you become familiar with the rules. This also helps you get familiar with how to look up a particular rule quickly which is not easy if you have never referred to the rule book previously.

And it's one of the few things available nowadays for free !!!

I used to, but actually funny enough bought a new bag last week and realised I don't have one anymore.
I know one got destroyed in rain few years bag.

I must pickup a new one.

ForeRight

McIlroy on the 3rd yesterday.

Ball came to rest in a tree in an unplayable lie do he took a penalty drop. He brought the ball back as far as he liked from the obstacle.... Not 2 club lengths like I've been told in this thread is the ruling?????

Nemesis

2) keeping the point at which the ball came to rest in line with the hole, go back as far as you wish on that line, and drop under penalty of one stroke

ForeRight

Nemesis wrote: »

2) keeping the point at which the ball came to rest in line with the hole, go back as far as you wish on that line, and drop under penalty of one stroke

When does the 2 club length ruling come into play like a couple of the replies in this thread told me?

Milkers

ForeRight wrote: »

When does the 2 club length ruling come into play like a couple of the replies in this thread told me?

You have three options. They are listed 1), 2) and 3). You pick one of the options.

ernieprice

ForeRight wrote: »

McIlroy on the 3rd yesterday.

Ball came to rest in a tree in an unplayable lie do he took a penalty drop. He brought the ball back as far as he liked from the obstacle.... Not 2 club lengths like I've been told in this thread is the ruling?????

The 3 options are (1) within 2 club lengths of where ball lies, (2) as far back as you want keeping the place where the ball lies between you and the hole or (3) replay you shot again under penalty from where you last played the shot. A handy rule of thumb is as follows. A free drop is 1 club length and a penalty drop is 2 club lengths.

ForeRight

ernieprice wrote: »

ForeRight wrote: »

McIlroy on the 3rd yesterday.

Ball came to rest in a tree in an unplayable lie do he took a penalty drop. He brought the ball back as far as he liked from the obstacle.... Not 2 club lengths like I've been told in this thread is the ruling?????

The 3 options are (1) within 2 club lengths of where ball lies, (2) as far back as you want keeping the place where the ball lies between you and the hole or (3) replay you shot again under penalty from where you last played the shot. A handy rule of thumb is as follows. A free drop is 1 club length and a penalty drop is 2 club lengths.

Thanks ernie.

I'm new enough to competition golf so I'm far from a rules master yet and rely on playing partners for guidance alot.