I want to remind all of you that we are still under certain Covid-19 rules applied to golf. As an example, for 2021, the preferred lie rule is available in all bunkers.
I often receive questions on the different options for a ball unplayable. Here are the options available to the player
A) Lateral relief
From the position of the ball, we must drop a ball inside 2 club-lengths, not closer to the pin.
B) Back-on-the-line Relief
From the position of the ball, we may drop a ball on a reference line going straight back from the hole through the spot of the original ball. This can be useful on a dogleg hole.
C) Stroke and Distance
A player is always allowed to go back where the last stroke was made without having to find or identify his original ball.
NOTE: In option A and B, the player must find his ball and identify it.
IDENTIFICATION OF THE BALL
QUESTION 1: You send your ball in a tree, everybody saw the ball go in that tree, but you can’t see it. What are your options?
QUESTION 2: You are looking for your ball, in shaking a tree, your ball falls. What is the ruling?
QUESTION 3: When you take lateral relief and after you have dropped the ball, it is still unplayable, what do you do?
QUESTION 4: The ball is unplayable, but your feet are on a cart path. What are your options?
QUESTION 5: The ball in unplayable in a bunker, what are your options?
QUESTION 6: When the local rule for alternative stroke and distance is in effect, what can you do if your ball is found in an unplayable lie?
QUESTION 7: The ball lies in a penalty area in an unplayable position but inside 2 club lengths, a dry spot is available. What are your options?