There are also mystery rules as yet unexplained - as follows 1. If you play a brand new ball, it will get lost immediately- an old ball, however will last all summer 2. If you play the harder holes well, you will definitely mess up the easier ones 3. If your partner gimmes you a put and you take it anyway - you will miss that put
There are several rules that you can choose to invoke on a "presumably" lost ball. Rule M.41.7 states that if during your 3 minute search, you can drop an identical ball from your pocket without being seen, and shout: "here it is",, you can continue your round and more importantly, avoid a costly penalty stroke. However, before you begin your search, your partner can invoke the "frisk" rule to insure there are no extra balls in your pockets.
1. Don’t talk during someone’s shot. 2. Watch your shadow, do not have your shadow visible to the shooter during their shot. 3. Take the shortest path through the sand and rake up afterwards, put the rake where you found it. 4. Do not walk on the green unless to get to your ball and NEVER walk in front of someone else path on the green. 5. Be someone that others want to play with. Try not to take any handouts, but offer them to your mates(not in a competition obviously). How quickly and how often your mates are willing to advance their game through handouts without offering will tell you a lot about them and if you should continue golfing with them. 6. Wait 10 seconds after someone’s shot to start sh*t talking. (If your with your mates in a light hearted way). Let their emotions settle after a bad shot and you’ll see less silver pheasants(flying golf clubs). 7. Have fun and don’t be a total d*ck.
Totally agree but i'd add one more. The green is even more important than the bunker and is the most delicate part of the hole. Walk on it as little as possible, do not jump (unless you get in the decisive putt of the Masters). but above all, when you hit the green, before thinking about your putt, go find the hole you made and fix it, very few people do that, u just need a tee and 5 seconds. So maybe the greens will no longer be the shits we are used to see ;)
2 words: winter rules. I'm not hitting off bare ground when I have hit a drive in the fairway. In the summer, maybe. Edit: I loved when the Rules Czar, Jez, eyeballs it. "Without measuring it out I'll take my drop here." Made my day.
Enjoyed the video but thought you should have explained what the penalty was in each situation e.g. if the ball moved when removing a loose impediment what is the penalty and should you replace the ball or play it as it lies?
Excellent display of the 7 most important rules. Being quite new at this sport I was riveted to my Tele as you explained in perfect detail. Thank you for this important aspect. I was curious about the 3 minute rule as well and I can now search for my balls with a clear head without the anxiety that accompanied my search before.
Enjoyed the video. I did have one quick question. For the “Lost Ball” rule, this video assumes the ball was not lost due to a water hazard, correct? If a tee shot is lost to a marked water hazard, the player would not have to retee; rather, they would be entitled to drop at the point the ball crossed the hazard if marked with red stakes or a lateral drop if marked with yellow stakes. Thanks!
Neil, excellent review of commonly abused rules. You missed an important one, however, which is showing the correct way to determine the "closest point of relief." This process is very often maligned with a ball laying on a cart path; fairway on one side, rough on the other. I see many players drop on the fairway side even if the ball is closest to the rough side of the cart path. I have tried to explain this rule to several of my playing partners and they can't seem to get it.
These rules are fine for tournament golf but I don't want to see people who shoot over 100 trying to follow them too closely as it would slow down play considerably and possibly kill the fun a bit.
I played in an invitational tourney several years ago at my home course. This older guy in my group that is known for cheating by dropping balls in play that’s not his & playing found balls that’s not his. Anyway, he marked his ball on the 9th green & waited for 3 of us to putt (he was closest). The 10th tee box in right behind the 9th green. He went & tees off on 10 before he even finished putting on 9🤦♂️😂! He actually tees off while I was putting... then when we get to 10 fairway he has a ball in his hand & tosses it out of his cart. None of us knew if he even drove the ball in the fair way. Craziest tourney shenanigans ever witnessed 😂. After speaking with the course ranger & tourney mangers he was eventually disqualified at the end of play.
Pls remember to identify and mark the location of your ball, before lifting it from the ground. You forgot that in the scenario with the covers close to green and before taking a free drop. Furthermore mark your reference point for the free drop.
enjoy you two. thanks for these rule clarifications. to keep the game moving, if I lose a ball and didn't do a provisional, can I drop where the ball supposedly was lost and drop as long as I don't go closer, and add a stroke?
good vid this. Had a debate with a fellow golfer about the tee box - i rocked up to the tee, didn't like the lay or condition of the area right by the marker, went back about 2/3 foot and played. Partner said, "that's not right, don't do that in competition" - great to see this rule is to actually legit!
Great information guys! Rules that must be followed certainly in tournament play. Casual play guys take all sorts of improper liberties to create inaccurate handicaps. 🤨
Is it against the rules to have spectators (particularly friends and family) serve as spotters or if they volunteered to search for your ball on their own?
No, they can be standing in the rough while your hitting & help spot your ball. But, the 3 min timer starts as soon as you get to the ball area. You can’t sit in the fairway 30 yards firm your ball for 5 mins while the look & then walk over & look for 3 mins .
I have a question regarding the 'teeing area' and the two club lengths of permissible area behind markers. At times I have seen the markers set so near the rear of the mowed tee box that there isn't a two club length choice, but maybe only a foot or two. Most recently this occured at a scramble tourney where the was a substantial prize for a hole-in-one. There was a person assigned to watch all shots that day to deter any false claims for the prize. So this hole was made a long as possible with no regard for the two club length rule. Any ideas?
That is unfortunate that the course you played at push the tee box so far that you didn´t have space for 2 club lengths. I just release a new video on golf rules where I talk about Tee box, it could be helpful, take a look th-cam.com/video/8rBx11B_zqY/w-d-xo.html .
I would of liked you to explain the free drop from sprinkler heads or cart paths in more depth, the part about must be dropped at the nearest point of relief regardless if you have to drop in knee high rough. this is always difficult for me.
Didn’t mention winter rules when playing it where it lies,when we hit a fairway that’s still in bad shape we move it to a piece of grass without penalty
Nothing was worse than in my league championship round this year for golf, I hit an absolute perfect drive right down the middle and my ball was about 4 inches deep in someone’s divot. I could barely even get to the ball.
Whats the rule for water in a bunker and plugged lies (you have hit a ball ind it plugs into a bunker wall for instance). These are really good rules videos.
Would have liked more explanations of each situation. For example You talked about not having relief from the second drainage cover for line of shot, but if they were closer to the green you do.
Not under the Rules of Golf you wouldn't - only under a Local Rule for sprinkler heads that many clubs adopt when your ball lies within two club-lengths of a sprinkler head and the sprinkler head lies within two club-lengths of the putting green.
In the example shown, Jez took a drop behind the cover. There is no need for that. He is allowed one club length from the nearest point of relief. The nearest point may well be behind the drain, but a clublength from that point could take him out in the open, to the left, where he could then putt it if he so chooses.
I hit mulligans but I dont ever score them...so I guess it's not a mulligan cause I always play my original ball, its more just for my mental peace of mind... I will play gimmes tho, under 2 ft.
Mulligan's are an important part of the game! Cousin blabbing away after a few too many and you slice? MULLIGAN! Girlfriend calls you screaming and asking why it's taking so long? Automatic freebie on any shot on the next 2 holes. Hit a bad shot and call it before the ball goes 3 yards you get a Mulligan.
#Golf Monthly, can you answer this rule question please?. Let us suppose the ball travels over the back of the green and into a red marked penalty area (for example some bushes). The ball is found but is completely unplayable. Immediately behind the bushes is outside the course. Dropping within 2 clubs is impossible because the ball will either be closer to the hole or be outside the course. Going back along the line of play is also impossible for the same reason. Therefore is the only option to play the ball from the position where the previous ball was played? And if so, bearing in mind that a provisional ball cannot be played if a ball is known to be in a penalty area would you not agree this will almost certainly hold up play?
#7. If required to come back to the tee box due to “stroke and distance”, can you “tee up” your ball? I’ve heard because it is now effectively your third shot, you can not tee it up. But had you declared “ I’m hitting a provisional”. (Which could be construed to to be “potentially “ your third shot, ) you CAN tee it up. What’s right?
You can always tee up while in the teeing area. Even if you hit a first shot so incredibly bad that it doesn't leave the tee area, you would be able to tee up your 2nd shot where it came to rest and hit 2 of the tee
Club-length is always now the longest club you are carrying that day excluding your putter. You would measure with that club regardless of what club you were planning to hit
Hi guys, just a quick question... You speak here about having only 14 clubs in your bag. How do the new rules deal with the old fasioned Bullseye putter. This can be used left or right handed, so is this classed as two clubs.? The same applies to the two sided chipper. I ask this because these clubs are in use at my local golf club, and I have often wondered how they are viewed by the rules comittee...
Can you answer this question. I am unable to find a clear answer in the Rule Book. I was playing recently and as I played my shot the shaft broke in two causing the ball to fly off at an angle. Am I entitled to play the shot again without penalty?
I think the detached head rules may apply here, in which it depends on if the break occurs during your backswing or forward swing. Unsure, but great question.
If you hit a provisional ball and can’t find the first ball off the tee. Does the hitting the provisional count as a stroke. So would be hitting 3 on the 2nd hit of the provisional ball?
Rule 7 "stroke and distance" is not really practical on today's golf courses. Speed of play is monitored and any event that holds up play is frowned upon. I don't appreciate people who cheat. Players who always roll their ball to improve their lie is the one that frustrates me the most. When your out for fun, I think it's important is to make a fair attempt to stay within the rules. Staying true to the game helps improve your game. It makes you a better player.
@@inquistive Save the stroke (and time) with a provisional. I actually had to hit a provisional this weekend, hitting a potential 3 off the tee. Found my original ball, took back that stroke and bogied the hole. Better than a double!
@@inquistive What if you didn't realise your ball was lost? Sometimes you hit a ball that seemed fine of the tee only to not find it afterwards. As Axle points out, stroke and distance is not always practical these days. Should there be a change / addition to this rule to help keep play moving?
@@markyjl If that were the case then it could be open to cheating. Player could say, yes I know where it went and its ok. Then he can't find his ball and so he would use a new rule that you are suggesting. Of course it could be the loss of 3 shots in which case the player would not accept that and want to go back to the tee. Personally, for the rare times this happens when you think you've hit a shot say on the fairway but can't find your ball, I don't see any big deal in your round taking say 10 minutes longer as long as you call the group behind through immediately.
Hi Neil - regarding lost balls, if I cannot find the ball in the bushes but I saw where the entry point was, can't I just take a drop by the entry point? Is it compulsory to go all the way back to the tee box if I did not hit a provisional?
Carlos - I'm afraid that under the Rules there is no option to drop another near where it is believed to be lost and you would have to go back. Obviously, a lot of people play such a Rule informally in friendly games, and there is a permissible Local Rule allowing relief along similar lines to those you suggest, but because the handicap authorities wouldn't permit such a Local Rule for competitions (certainly in the UK) very few clubs will have adopted it
Thank you Neil for clarifying - it is indeed very common here in Canada to drop the ball near the entry point on friendly games, oftentimes just for the sake of keeping the pace or; and this is very common too, because the ball went into a hazard that may host wildlife, which even the local rules indicate not to go into the hazard trying to find your ball but take an automatic drop near the entry point instead (depending of the case and the course this could be a free drop or a +1 penalty shot drop)
Realized after watching that I recently carried 15 clubs. Found a wedge left next to a green and stuck it in my bag intending to return to the clubhouse lost & found. Forgot about it and carried it for another round buried beneath my long club head covers. Never used it in play nor intended to use it, the game is difficult enough with my own clubs. Does intent matter in interpretation of the 14 club rule limit?
no i don't think it does. casting my mind back some years didn't ian woosnam have too many clubs in his bag during a tournament? the look he gave the caddy suggested it was the caddy's job to have checked them.
If you *found* a club and intended to return it without using it after the round then the club limit would not have applied - however in your case honestly I don't know what the outcome would be. Intent is of course a huge facet when it comes to the interpretation of some of the rules vis: striking the ball. Why don't you just hand in the club and have peace of mind :)
One more thought, I my ball goes into the drink is it automatically a provisional ball or can I play where it lay and if I do so is the 3 minute rule begin as soon as my knickers are dampened?
What if you play a provisional ball and you still find the first one you played ? Can you play the bestof the 2 ? What about the penalty? I know rtfm but i Am new to golf and at work sooo
Rule #1. Don't play for money. People make up there own rules, causes arguments and distrust of players . If you knowingly cheat at golf you probably cheat at everything in life.
How can i get a copy of the rules of golf ( after 2019). I have the normal small revised one that we get from the proshop - this book does not give detail information on all the rules. Thank you
Your #4: it says sth. different in my R&A rules app for 19.2. From the spot 3 club lengths to the sides and on the line back use case two to the sides. You say two fro the spot, one from the line. What's correct?
Ground staff at our club have no idea of the rules, and often place tee markers less than two club lengths from the back of the tee. Sometimes my right foot is down the bank at the back of the tee. As the rules entitle me to two club lengths, what do I do.
You forgot to mention that when taking a drop for an unplayable you will also add stroke for the drop. And I was listening because I wondered why anybody would go back to the tee for both stroke and distance if it’s only one stroke for the drop
If I’m playing from the yellow Tee box but the White Tee box markers are only one foot behind the yellow marker is the yellow tee box still two club lengths back? Or does the Position of the white Tee box determine the size of the yellow Tee box?
If i hit a ball from the tee and don't like where it has gone can I immediately declare that I am not playing that ball anymore and put a new ball on the tee and say this is the ball in play ( 3 off the tee) and play that ball and forget the first ball without looking for it?
i'm a leftie and thus would be carrying a 'right' as i only carry 13 clubs, BUT what size club would we see as ideal ? btw for anyone interested i've plenty of l/h 7 irons.
I would be also interesred on see this one. I have ended in the car path twice during my last two rounds and I have taken a penalty drop as I dont want to ruin my clubs trying to be a hero.
David - we actually covered this topic - the classic 'nicest point of relief' misinterpretation - in another of the Rules videos we shot the same day. That one will be up on the channel some time in the near future
Question about rules: I find it frustrating when the other 3 people in my foursome don't pay attention to my shot and therefore can't help much if hit it into the rough or the trees - I think they should be obligated to observe everyone elses shots as much as they can (especially off the tee)
When moving loose impediments... if you start to remove something and the ball starts to move, if you immediately stop moving it are you safe from penalty?
Penalty if it actually 'moves', no penalty if it doesn't. 'Move' here implies permanently leaving its original position. If it only 'oscillates' (moves but returns to exact original position), it is considered not to have 'moved'.
If the ball moves after you moved a loose impediment that caused it to move, then you incur a penalty of one stroke, unless your ball was at rest on the putting green.
@@GolfRulesQuestions ha! I was going to suggest the OP watch a video of Rory in the bunker then I saw that you posted the answer! Thanks for your channel :)
@@GolfMonthly If the ball rolls outside after three drops, then you have to PLACE the ball where the last dropped ball originally made contact with the ground, or as close to that as possible. This can be a real PITA if the ground is on a steep grade, for example.
#7 lost ball- can you take a 2-stroke penalty and drop, hitting 4, instead of shooting 3 from the tee? A lot of times with golfing friends, we unexpectedly lose balls having not played a provisional, then we want to drop near to where we think the ball is. We usually have another group behind us so it’s not really possible to go back to the tee. Can the 2-stroke penalty be used here to speed up the pace of play?
Yes. USGA adopted Local Rule to help this problem. You can drop 2 club lengths in the FW parallel to where the ball crossed/lost. 2 stroke penalty (hitting 4). Similarly- Had you re-tee, you hit 3. Say the ball lands in the exact spot of the drop.. you’d still be hitting 4. But in the case of the 2 stroke penalty drop- you do not risk losing the ball again should you re-tee from Tee box
Didn't mention the change in rules for dropping i.e. knee height not shoulder height anymore and how far to drop from the drainage cover, is it nearest point of relief no nearer the hole or one club length?
I think it would have been helpful if you had included the procedure and penalty for playing from outside the teeing area.... and explained the difference where there's no penalty in matchplay but that you may be asked by your opponent to tee off again. You only described the teeing area itself. Maybe this comment has already been made...? Enjoyed the video.
I thought a new rule for a lost ball off the tee is you can take a 2 shot penalty where you lost it? Also the dropping of the ball, when going back inline where you hit it from how does that work, ie can you drop it in on the middle of the green if that is backwards?
We haven't included the lost ball/OOB scenario you refer to as it isn't a Rule of Golf - just a permissible Local Rule that very few clubs will have adopted (as far as we are aware) as the handicap authority has said that it can't be used for handicap qualifying rounds.
I have a question. Assuming that you play a ball into the heather and then play a provisional, you then find your first ball but declare it unplayable. Can you then count the provisional ball as the ball in play so that your next shot is your 4th?
No, once the original ball is found, the provisional ball becomes redundant. You have to play the original ball as it lies or declare it unplayable. You can't pick & choose the best lie of multiple balls. The provisional ball rule just saves you running up & down the golf course replaying shots every time you to think you've lost a ball...
So if you declare the first ball unplayable, you can then go back to the tee and play another for a one shot penalty. Assuming you hit the fairway, you would then be playing 4 for your next shot. However, I do understand what you're saying since if you were able to play the provisional you could gain an advantage by playing from the fairway. There would be no guarantee that this would be the case if you declare the first ball lost and then go back to the tee. A bit long winded from me, I'm afraid. Thanks for your response
@@johnchampion7819 No worries. Do bear in mind that you have 2 other options available when the ball is unplayable, so you don't have to shoot 3 off of the tee. You can either do a drop 2 club lengths away no nearer the hole, or trace a line back from the hole through the lie (any distance) and drop within 1 club length. Both have 1 shot penalties, but are usually the best options. If both of these suck, then your last option is indeed 3 off the tee. Last point, if the original shot was not from the tee, then you could instead replay the last shot (with 1 shot penalty). Good luck!
Many thanks. I think I've cracked the rules with regard to lost and unplayable balls. Now, I just need to cure the occasional slice which is sometimes too occasional.
@@GolfMonthly and if you do find the original its no penalty? you just pick up the provisional ball? (this actually happened to me last weekend and I wasn't sure what to do)
My drive from the tee could not be seen from the tee mount forcing me to play a provisional when I play my provisional 4th shot my caddy found my original ball can I go back and played the original ball as 2nd shot?
If we're understanding the situation correctly, it would depend on two things - first, whether or not the 3-minute search time had elapsed, and then whether or not your second shot with the provisional ball (4th shot overall) was played from nearer the hole than where the original ball was found - it sounds like it was as you say 'go back', in which case when you played another stroke with the provisional ball it became the ball in play and the original ball must be abandoned
Yes. Say you’re beside or behind a tree & you physically can’t approach the ball to even get the club head on it. You can attempt to hit it if you want. But, if it’s almost impossible for you to hit it then you can take an unplayable lie. So you drop 1 & hit 2. If you’re laying 2 you would drop 3 & hit 4.
One clarification I've always had and just never took the time to research, if you hit the provisional and end up using it, you are lying 2, hitting 3, correct?
If you hit a provisional ball (let’s say off the tee) and you end up putting the provisional ball in play, you would be lying 3 hitting 4. Provisional balls count as stroke and distance relief, meaning one stroke penalty and playing your next shot from where your original shot was played (in this case, you would be lying 2 hitting 3 off the tee)
@@mglegacy012 can you clarify? You first say lying 3, hitting 4, then say 2, hitting 3. I have no idea why anyone would hit a provisional ball off the tee if you'll be lying 3, hitting 4. You can take a drop from going out of bounds, and even if you have to take a flop shot because the drop is in an awful spot, you'd end up lying 3, hitting 4.
@@dougsholly9323 you are lying 2 hitting 3 off the tee if you choose to make your provisional ball the ball in play. I meant lying 3 hitting 4 after the provisional tee shot
From what my understanding is about number 4, if you had a bad lie as described in number 3 then you could simply state you feel your ball is unplayable and utilize a drop rule (i.e. get a bad lie, say your shot is unplayable and reposition). Not speaking to the morality, but from a technical standpoint, is this logic correct?
Once you have declared a ball lost and head back to the tee to play another, can your playing partners continue searching during the time you head back to the tee?
You can't declare a ball lost, but if your playing companions continue searching and find it within 3 minutes of the search time commencing, you would have to continue with the original ball whatever that required you do do (i.e. play it or declare it unplayable)
These guys would suck to play a casual round of golf with. Tournament/match play is different but sometimes you’re just there to enjoy the course and your time
You can play any game you wish and not follow the rules, or follow some rules and not others or even make your own rules up. However, if you are a serious player of any sport, I would suggest that playing well whilst following the rules provides greater satisfaction than knowing that actually you cheated.
Aren't their drop examples illegal? You need to drop from shoulder height not from your knee. If your ball rolls outside of the two club length area of a legal drop (such as a slope) twice, then you can place the ball within the two club length area.
One rule in particular is relevant:A Player in the company of the deputy vice ladies Captain must always have a spare pulled pork sandwich with mayonnaise and a sprinkling of Dill and fresh lower field lettuce shredded and of course some cayenne pepper spread evenly and,and this is important,offer this to her highness before the challenging fifth hole with the water in front,as she usually takes four hours to cross this difficult par three.yup hard to believe,best advice really is to go home
Doesn't 7:00 contradict 10:03 a bit? 1. You could even declare a ball 'unplayable' even if it's sitting in a playable area. 2. You don't get relief from 'playing the ball as it lies' (unless the area is marked as 'under repair'). Can anyone clarify the difference, please?
There are also mystery rules as yet unexplained - as follows
1. If you play a brand new ball, it will get lost immediately- an old ball, however will last all summer
2. If you play the harder holes well, you will definitely mess up the easier ones
3. If your partner gimmes you a put and you take it anyway - you will miss that put
In stroke play a put may not be given, but can be in match play.
Played yesterday and lost 12 new balls, the one used ball I found in the bush lasted me the rest of the game lol still shot an 87 on a par 62 hahaha
karl G par 62? wtf😂
@@carterwhite6777 limited space and zoning laws. Better than nothing next closest course is 50 miles away
karl G makes sense. is it a par 3/4 course?
There are several rules that you can choose to invoke on a "presumably" lost ball. Rule M.41.7 states that if during your 3 minute search, you can drop an identical ball from your pocket without being seen, and shout: "here it is",, you can continue your round and more importantly, avoid a costly penalty stroke. However, before you begin your search, your partner can invoke the "frisk" rule to insure there are no extra balls in your pockets.
Lol I played with a guy who showed me this trick. Exactly as you describe 😅
I always carry an extra so I don't have to go back to the cart when I abandon my search.
James Bond played the uno revers card of this rule in Goldfinger, best way to avoid this is sign each others ball before playing
1. Don’t talk during someone’s shot.
2. Watch your shadow, do not have your shadow visible to the shooter during their shot.
3. Take the shortest path through the sand and rake up afterwards, put the rake where you found it.
4. Do not walk on the green unless to get to your ball and NEVER walk in front of someone else path on the green.
5. Be someone that others want to play with. Try not to take any handouts, but offer them to your mates(not in a competition obviously). How quickly and how often your mates are willing to advance their game through handouts without offering will tell you a lot about them and if you should continue golfing with them.
6. Wait 10 seconds after someone’s shot to start sh*t talking. (If your with your mates in a light hearted way). Let their emotions settle after a bad shot and you’ll see less silver pheasants(flying golf clubs).
7. Have fun and don’t be a total d*ck.
Totally agree but i'd add one more.
The green is even more important than the bunker and is the most delicate part of the hole.
Walk on it as little as possible, do not jump (unless you get in the decisive putt of the Masters).
but above all, when you hit the green, before thinking about your putt, go find the hole you made and fix it, very few people do that, u just need a tee and 5 seconds.
So maybe the greens will no longer be the shits we are used to see ;)
@@piterone80 absolutely!
Great video to watch as a beginner the rules can be quite daunting at times! Thanks
In our game, rules are more like guidelines.
I live that rule!
2 words: winter rules.
I'm not hitting off bare ground when I have hit a drive in the fairway. In the summer, maybe.
Edit: I loved when the Rules Czar, Jez, eyeballs it. "Without measuring it out I'll take my drop here." Made my day.
Enjoyed the video but thought you should have explained what the penalty was in each situation e.g. if the ball moved when removing a loose impediment what is the penalty and should you replace the ball or play it as it lies?
One stroke
You leave the ball where it is after you touch it but you take a 1 stroke penalty
What if you just throw it in the hole, say it was an accident and get 1 stroke
Most important rule is 1.2a Conduct expected of all players.
Tappin is the best golf name I have ever heard
Great video. Love the way you break it down to its simplest form. Thank you.
Excellent display of the 7 most important rules. Being quite new at this sport I was riveted to my Tele as you explained in perfect detail. Thank you for this important aspect. I was curious about the 3 minute rule as well and I can now search for my balls with a clear head without the anxiety that accompanied my search before.
Enjoyed the video. I did have one quick question. For the “Lost Ball” rule, this video assumes the ball was not lost due to a water hazard, correct? If a tee shot is lost to a marked water hazard, the player would not have to retee; rather, they would be entitled to drop at the point the ball crossed the hazard if marked with red stakes or a lateral drop if marked with yellow stakes. Thanks!
Correct, however red stakes are lateral hazards not the yellow ones.
most important rule.... have fun! no one wants to play with someone that has a shitty attitude dont be that guy
Neil, excellent review of commonly abused rules. You missed an important one, however, which is showing the correct way to determine the "closest point of relief." This process is very often maligned with a ball laying on a cart path; fairway on one side, rough on the other. I see many players drop on the fairway side even if the ball is closest to the rough side of the cart path. I have tried to explain this rule to several of my playing partners and they can't seem to get it.
Oh boy. Do you find your partners quickly get 'too busy' to play with you? Do you have your 3 min stopwatch with you too?😂
These rules are fine for tournament golf but I don't want to see people who shoot over 100 trying to follow them too closely as it would slow down play considerably and possibly kill the fun a bit.
we do want them on the 3 min search rules.
My choice in golf balls eliminates the need of searching for a lost ball or going out of my way from the fairway to retrieve a ball.
I played in an invitational tourney several years ago at my home course. This older guy in my group that is known for cheating by dropping balls in play that’s not his & playing found balls that’s not his. Anyway, he marked his ball on the 9th green & waited for 3 of us to putt (he was closest). The 10th tee box in right behind the 9th green. He went & tees off on 10 before he even finished putting on 9🤦♂️😂! He actually tees off while I was putting... then when we get to 10 fairway he has a ball in his hand & tosses it out of his cart. None of us knew if he even drove the ball in the fair way. Craziest tourney shenanigans ever witnessed 😂.
After speaking with the course ranger & tourney mangers he was eventually disqualified at the end of play.
This actually Sounds INSANE!!! Wow what an experience.
Lol that's wild. In a tournament, with strangers!
As a beginner, I was waiting in vain to hear whether the drop from an unplayable ball incurs a one-stroke penalty?
That’s correct. If you opt to choose unplayable then that is a 1 stroke penalty.
Pls remember to identify and mark the location of your ball, before lifting it from the ground. You forgot that in the scenario with the covers close to green and before taking a free drop. Furthermore mark your reference point for the free drop.
Good video, not many people know what the 'teeing area' actually is.
th-cam.com/video/8rBx11B_zqY/w-d-xo.html I talk about it in my Top 5 Golf Rules Video
enjoy you two. thanks for these rule clarifications. to keep the game moving, if I lose a ball and didn't do a provisional, can I drop where the ball supposedly was lost and drop as long as I don't go closer, and add a stroke?
Thank you , Superb Information for the Beginners in simple Language
good vid this. Had a debate with a fellow golfer about the tee box - i rocked up to the tee, didn't like the lay or condition of the area right by the marker, went back about 2/3 foot and played. Partner said, "that's not right, don't do that in competition" - great to see this rule is to actually legit!
Glad to be of help!
Great information guys! Rules that must be followed certainly in tournament play. Casual play guys take all sorts of improper liberties to create inaccurate handicaps. 🤨
Is it against the rules to have spectators (particularly friends and family) serve as spotters or if they volunteered to search for your ball on their own?
It isn't against the Rules, but you can't wait in the fairway claiming your 3 minutes hasn't yet started so that they can find it for you.
No, they can be standing in the rough while your hitting & help spot your ball. But, the 3 min timer starts as soon as you get to the ball area. You can’t sit in the fairway 30 yards firm your ball for 5 mins while the look & then walk over & look for 3 mins .
I have a question regarding the 'teeing area' and the two club lengths of permissible area behind markers. At times I have seen the markers set so near the rear of the mowed tee box that there isn't a two club length choice, but maybe only a foot or two. Most recently this occured at a scramble tourney where the was a substantial prize for a hole-in-one. There was a person assigned to watch all shots that day to deter any false claims for the prize. So this hole was made a long as possible with no regard for the two club length rule. Any ideas?
That is unfortunate that the course you played at push the tee box so far that you didn´t have space for 2 club lengths. I just release a new video on golf rules where I talk about Tee box, it could be helpful, take a look th-cam.com/video/8rBx11B_zqY/w-d-xo.html .
I would of liked you to explain the free drop from sprinkler heads or cart paths in more depth, the part about must be dropped at the nearest point of relief regardless if you have to drop in knee high rough. this is always difficult for me.
Under those circumstances just play it as it lies. You are allowed a free drop, not obliged to take one.
This guy has the perfect name to host a channel like this, I’m an instant fan of Neil Tap-in lol
“Came out a little bit clean”
Oh, I’m using that gentlemanly observation.
Don't you just love it when someone is 'casual' with the rules and then wants to compare their scorecard with one who plays legitimately.
See DJT. For example.
Good advice. I liked this video
Didn’t mention winter rules when playing it where it lies,when we hit a fairway that’s still in bad shape we move it to a piece of grass without penalty
winter rules is a myth no such thing , legally
Nothing was worse than in my league championship round this year for golf, I hit an absolute perfect drive right down the middle and my ball was about 4 inches deep in someone’s divot. I could barely even get to the ball.
That happened to Tiger at his last Open at St Andrews. First hole his ball found a divot, he chunked it into the burn, made a 6 and never recovered.
Love your videos on the rules of golf
Whats the rule for water in a bunker and plugged lies (you have hit a ball ind it plugs into a bunker wall for instance). These are really good rules videos.
I believe you can now remove a plugged ball if it's buried beyond a certain percentage. Not sure of the specifics though.
Charlie not in a bunker
Charlie a bunker is considered a hazard in most PGA tour events. So if the ball is plugged in a bunker you can’t get relief with out a penalty
thanks for the information, learned a lot for of info about the rules of golf
Would have liked more explanations of each situation. For example You talked about not having relief from the second drainage cover for line of shot, but if they were closer to the green you do.
Not under the Rules of Golf you wouldn't - only under a Local Rule for sprinkler heads that many clubs adopt when your ball lies within two club-lengths of a sprinkler head and the sprinkler head lies within two club-lengths of the putting green.
In the example shown, Jez took a drop behind the cover. There is no need for that. He is allowed one club length from the nearest point of relief. The nearest point may well be behind the drain, but a clublength from that point could take him out in the open, to the left, where he could then putt it if he so chooses.
Didn’t even list the most important rule of all! There’s no such thing as a mulligan.
I pay for mulligans in charity events
I hit mulligans but I dont ever score them...so I guess it's not a mulligan cause I always play my original ball, its more just for my mental peace of mind...
I will play gimmes tho, under 2 ft.
Mulligan's are an important part of the game! Cousin blabbing away after a few too many and you slice? MULLIGAN! Girlfriend calls you screaming and asking why it's taking so long? Automatic freebie on any shot on the next 2 holes. Hit a bad shot and call it before the ball goes 3 yards you get a Mulligan.
@@TheWalterHWhite i thought if your ball didn't make it past the lady's tee! Lol
@@scotthummel4248 well then you hit it with your purse.
Thk very much am from Sierra Leone West Africa 🇸🇱🇸🇱🇸🇱🇸🇱🇸🇱
#Golf Monthly, can you answer this rule question please?. Let us suppose the ball travels over the back of the green and into a red marked penalty area (for example some bushes). The ball is found but is completely unplayable. Immediately behind the bushes is outside the course. Dropping within 2 clubs is impossible because the ball will either be closer to the hole or be outside the course. Going back along the line of play is also impossible for the same reason. Therefore is the only option to play the ball from the position where the previous ball was played? And if so, bearing in mind that a provisional ball cannot be played if a ball is known to be in a penalty area would you not agree this will almost certainly hold up play?
The one thing I was wondering is that unplayable lay drop what was the penalty? 1 stroke?
Correct
Thanks that was good. Do you get relief from being up against a boundary fence?
No
#7. If required to come back to the tee box due to “stroke and distance”, can you “tee up” your ball? I’ve heard because it is now effectively your third shot, you can not tee it up. But had you declared “ I’m hitting a provisional”. (Which could be construed to to be “potentially “ your third shot, ) you CAN tee it up. What’s right?
You can always tee up while in the teeing area. Even if you hit a first shot so incredibly bad that it doesn't leave the tee area, you would be able to tee up your 2nd shot where it came to rest and hit 2 of the tee
On the tee area is the two club lengths back measured with the club you are intending to hit or can you use the longest club in the bag?
Club-length is always now the longest club you are carrying that day excluding your putter. You would measure with that club regardless of what club you were planning to hit
Great video…thanks guys
Amazing explanation 👍
Hi guys, just a quick question... You speak here about having only 14 clubs in your bag. How do the new rules deal with the old fasioned Bullseye putter. This can be used left or right handed, so is this classed as two clubs.? The same applies to the two sided chipper. I ask this because these clubs are in use at my local golf club, and I have often wondered how they are viewed by the rules comittee...
Can you answer this question. I am unable to find a clear answer in the Rule Book. I was playing recently and as I played my shot the shaft broke in two causing the ball to fly off at an angle. Am I entitled to play the shot again without penalty?
I think the detached head rules may apply here, in which it depends on if the break occurs during your backswing or forward swing. Unsure, but great question.
If you hit a provisional ball and can’t find the first ball off the tee. Does the hitting the provisional count as a stroke. So would be hitting 3 on the 2nd hit of the provisional ball?
Yes, if you can't find the first ball your provisional would be your 3rd shot
Rule 7 "stroke and distance" is not really practical on today's golf courses. Speed of play is monitored and any event that holds up play is frowned upon.
I don't appreciate people who cheat. Players who always roll their ball to improve their lie is the one that frustrates me the most.
When your out for fun, I think it's important is to make a fair attempt to stay within the rules. Staying true to the game helps improve your game. It makes you a better player.
That is why you should play a provisional ball - to save time!
Well said
@@inquistive Save the stroke (and time) with a provisional. I actually had to hit a provisional this weekend, hitting a potential 3 off the tee. Found my original ball, took back that stroke and bogied the hole. Better than a double!
@@inquistive What if you didn't realise your ball was lost? Sometimes you hit a ball that seemed fine of the tee only to not find it afterwards. As Axle points out, stroke and distance is not always practical these days. Should there be a change / addition to this rule to help keep play moving?
@@markyjl If that were the case then it could be open to cheating. Player could say, yes I know where it went and its ok. Then he can't find his ball and so he would use a new rule that you are suggesting. Of course it could be the loss of 3 shots in which case the player would not accept that and want to go back to the tee. Personally, for the rare times this happens when you think you've hit a shot say on the fairway but can't find your ball, I don't see any big deal in your round taking say 10 minutes longer as long as you call the group behind through immediately.
IF we are to carry an opposite handed club in the bag for those awkward occasions, what would we consider to be the most suitable club?
7 iron
9 have L4 L5 ,C2 through C7 fusion. Can I golf or just use the green for golf game. I am a brand new golfer.
Hi Neil - regarding lost balls, if I cannot find the ball in the bushes but I saw where the entry point was, can't I just take a drop by the entry point? Is it compulsory to go all the way back to the tee box if I did not hit a provisional?
No, you must find ur ball in order to drop 2 club lengths from the spot in which it went in, no nearer the hole.
Carlos - I'm afraid that under the Rules there is no option to drop another near where it is believed to be lost and you would have to go back. Obviously, a lot of people play such a Rule informally in friendly games, and there is a permissible Local Rule allowing relief along similar lines to those you suggest, but because the handicap authorities wouldn't permit such a Local Rule for competitions (certainly in the UK) very few clubs will have adopted it
Thank you Jeff
Thank you Neil for clarifying - it is indeed very common here in Canada to drop the ball near the entry point on friendly games, oftentimes just for the sake of keeping the pace or; and this is very common too, because the ball went into a hazard that may host wildlife, which even the local rules indicate not to go into the hazard trying to find your ball but take an automatic drop near the entry point instead (depending of the case and the course this could be a free drop or a +1 penalty shot drop)
Realized after watching that I recently carried 15 clubs. Found a wedge left next to a green and stuck it in my bag intending to return to the clubhouse lost & found. Forgot about it and carried it for another round buried beneath my long club head covers. Never used it in play nor intended to use it, the game is difficult enough with my own clubs. Does intent matter in interpretation of the 14 club rule limit?
So that’s where my wedge went, thief!
no i don't think it does. casting my mind back some years didn't ian woosnam have too many clubs in his bag during a tournament?
the look he gave the caddy suggested it was the caddy's job to have checked them.
If you *found* a club and intended to return it without using it after the round then the club limit would not have applied - however in your case honestly I don't know what the outcome would be. Intent is of course a huge facet when it comes to the interpretation of some of the rules vis: striking the ball.
Why don't you just hand in the club and have peace of mind :)
I love nominative determinism.
When your buddy hits a bad shot and gets mad and bangs his club on the cart path Just ask him why he’s mad your not that good anyway
I remind myself I’m not good enough to get mad.
One more thought, I my ball goes into the drink is it automatically a provisional ball or can I play where it lay and if I do so is the 3 minute rule begin as soon as my knickers are dampened?
What if you play a provisional ball and you still find the first one you played ? Can you play the bestof the 2 ? What about the penalty? I know rtfm but i
Am new to golf and at work sooo
So is the foot wedge when your to close to a hazard just to knock it out a little, not part of the rule book?
It’s the ole FJ wedge sz10°
Rule #1. Don't play for money. People make up there own rules, causes arguments and distrust of players . If you knowingly cheat at golf you probably cheat at everything in life.
How can i get a copy of the rules of golf ( after 2019). I have the normal small revised one that we get from the proshop - this book does not give detail information on all the rules. Thank you
Neil s'y last name is pretty great for a golfer
Your #4: it says sth. different in my R&A rules app for 19.2. From the spot 3 club lengths to the sides and on the line back use case two to the sides. You say two fro the spot, one from the line. What's correct?
Ground staff at our club have no idea of the rules, and often place tee markers less than two club lengths from the back of the tee. Sometimes my right foot is down the bank at the back of the tee. As the rules entitle me to two club lengths, what do I do.
If you have too many clubs can you still carry it but have to declare which club is not to be used?
Very informative video.
"We are stood" - quality journalism....
Chris Hoggart lol
If you play a provisional, is it your second or third shot??
That’s what I was wondering.
Lol.me too.....is someone please going to answer
So if you have teed up then you find your foot is in a hole, can you re tee the ball?
Yes you can. The ball is not in play until you have an intentional ball strike :)
@@Kr4zYHD That's right, Willy - you can retee it as the ball is not yet in play
You forgot to mention that when taking a drop for an unplayable you will also add stroke for the drop. And I was listening because I wondered why anybody would go back to the tee for both stroke and distance if it’s only one stroke for the drop
What’s the ruling for sprinkler heads. What relief do you get?
If I’m playing from the yellow Tee box but the White Tee box markers are only one foot behind the yellow marker is the yellow tee box still two club lengths back?
Or does the Position of the white Tee box determine the size of the yellow Tee box?
It is 2 clublengths deep, regardless of where the white teemarkers are.
If i hit a ball from the tee and don't like where it has gone can I immediately declare that I am not playing that ball anymore and put a new ball on the tee and say this is the ball in play ( 3 off the tee) and play that ball and forget the first ball without looking for it?
A left handed club-good add
i'm a leftie and thus would be carrying a 'right' as i only carry 13 clubs, BUT what size club would we see as ideal ?
btw for anyone interested i've plenty of l/h 7 irons.
need to do one on a free drop (cart path or GUR) most people i play with think they can drop in the nearest best spot LOL
I would be also interesred on see this one. I have ended in the car path twice during my last two rounds and I have taken a penalty drop as I dont want to ruin my clubs trying to be a hero.
David - we actually covered this topic - the classic 'nicest point of relief' misinterpretation - in another of the Rules videos we shot the same day. That one will be up on the channel some time in the near future
i literally just subscribed so i can see this answer in the next video
@@Savage_422 its amazing how many people get this rule wrong
@@carlosguanche Why would you take a penalty drop? A cart path is an "immovable obstruction", just like the drainage cover, and you get "free" relief.
Question about rules: I find it frustrating when the other 3 people in my foursome don't pay attention to my shot and therefore can't help much if hit it into the rough or the trees - I think they should be obligated to observe everyone elses shots as much as they can (especially off the tee)
Ooooor don't make others responsible for finding your crappy shots
When moving loose impediments... if you start to remove something and the ball starts to move, if you immediately stop moving it are you safe from penalty?
Penalty if it actually 'moves', no penalty if it doesn't. 'Move' here implies permanently leaving its original position. If it only 'oscillates' (moves but returns to exact original position), it is considered not to have 'moved'.
If the ball moves after you moved a loose impediment that caused it to move, then you incur a penalty of one stroke, unless your ball was at rest on the putting green.
@@GolfRulesQuestions ha! I was going to suggest the OP watch a video of Rory in the bunker then I saw that you posted the answer! Thanks for your channel :)
very good. in the unplayable example if in the drop the ball ends up 1 or 2 inches outside the 2 club lengths is that incorrect?
Yes, Allan - if the ball landed within the relief area but then rolled outside, you would need to redrop, even if only 1 or 2 inches outside
@@GolfMonthly If the ball rolls outside after three drops, then you have to PLACE the ball where the last dropped ball originally made contact with the ground, or as close to that as possible. This can be a real PITA if the ground is on a steep grade, for example.
#7 lost ball- can you take a 2-stroke penalty and drop, hitting 4, instead of shooting 3 from the tee? A lot of times with golfing friends, we unexpectedly lose balls having not played a provisional, then we want to drop near to where we think the ball is. We usually have another group behind us so it’s not really possible to go back to the tee. Can the 2-stroke penalty be used here to speed up the pace of play?
Yes. USGA adopted Local Rule to help this problem.
You can drop 2 club lengths in the FW parallel to where the ball crossed/lost. 2 stroke penalty (hitting 4).
Similarly- Had you re-tee, you hit 3. Say the ball lands in the exact spot of the drop.. you’d still be hitting 4.
But in the case of the 2 stroke penalty drop- you do not risk losing the ball again should you re-tee from Tee box
Didn't mention the change in rules for dropping i.e. knee height not shoulder height anymore and how far to drop from the drainage cover, is it nearest point of relief no nearer the hole or one club length?
It is 1 club length from the nearest point of complete relief.
I think it would have been helpful if you had included the procedure and penalty for playing from outside the teeing area.... and explained the difference where there's no penalty in matchplay but that you may be asked by your opponent to tee off again. You only described the teeing area itself. Maybe this comment has already been made...? Enjoyed the video.
I thought a new rule for a lost ball off the tee is you can take a 2 shot penalty where you lost it? Also the dropping of the ball, when going back inline where you hit it from how does that work, ie can you drop it in on the middle of the green if that is backwards?
We haven't included the lost ball/OOB scenario you refer to as it isn't a Rule of Golf - just a permissible Local Rule that very few clubs will have adopted (as far as we are aware) as the handicap authority has said that it can't be used for handicap qualifying rounds.
What if your ball lands in a large muddy skid mark made accidentally by the greens keeper?
Good to know.
If you hit the provisional when you think you have a lost ball. What is the penalty? Are you hitting 3?
I have a question. Assuming that you play a ball into the heather and then play a provisional, you then find your first ball but declare it unplayable. Can you then count the provisional ball as the ball in play so that your next shot is your 4th?
No, once the original ball is found, the provisional ball becomes redundant. You have to play the original ball as it lies or declare it unplayable. You can't pick & choose the best lie of multiple balls. The provisional ball rule just saves you running up & down the golf course replaying shots every time you to think you've lost a ball...
So if you declare the first ball unplayable, you can then go back to the tee and play another for a one shot penalty. Assuming you hit the fairway, you would then be playing 4 for your next shot. However, I do understand what you're saying since if you were able to play the provisional you could gain an advantage by playing from the fairway. There would be no guarantee that this would be the case if you declare the first ball lost and then go back to the tee. A bit long winded from me, I'm afraid. Thanks for your response
@@johnchampion7819 No worries. Do bear in mind that you have 2 other options available when the ball is unplayable, so you don't have to shoot 3 off of the tee. You can either do a drop 2 club lengths away no nearer the hole, or trace a line back from the hole through the lie (any distance) and drop within 1 club length. Both have 1 shot penalties, but are usually the best options. If both of these suck, then your last option is indeed 3 off the tee. Last point, if the original shot was not from the tee, then you could instead replay the last shot (with 1 shot penalty). Good luck!
Many thanks. I think I've cracked the rules with regard to lost and unplayable balls. Now, I just need to cure the occasional slice which is sometimes too occasional.
As far as stroke and distance is concerned. If you play a provisional and don't find the original is that 2 or 3 of the tee? Cheers 👍 ☺
3
@@GolfMonthly thank you for the prompt reply
@@GolfMonthly and if you do find the original its no penalty? you just pick up the provisional ball? (this actually happened to me last weekend and I wasn't sure what to do)
@@Punkologist why didn't "golf monthly" answer your question ? I'd like to know also......
My drive from the tee could not be seen from the tee mount forcing me to play a provisional when I play my provisional 4th shot my caddy found my original ball can I go back and played the original ball as 2nd shot?
If we're understanding the situation correctly, it would depend on two things - first, whether or not the 3-minute search time had elapsed, and then whether or not your second shot with the provisional ball (4th shot overall) was played from nearer the hole than where the original ball was found - it sounds like it was as you say 'go back', in which case when you played another stroke with the provisional ball it became the ball in play and the original ball must be abandoned
So on rule 3 can they player declare it unplayable and go back to the drop rule? But it would cost a stroke?
Yes. Say you’re beside or behind a tree & you physically can’t approach the ball to even get the club head on it. You can attempt to hit it if you want. But, if it’s almost impossible for you to hit it then you can take an unplayable lie. So you drop 1 & hit 2. If you’re laying 2 you would drop 3 & hit 4.
Take a look at a video I just released today. It might help answer your question th-cam.com/video/8rBx11B_zqY/w-d-xo.html
One clarification I've always had and just never took the time to research, if you hit the provisional and end up using it, you are lying 2, hitting 3, correct?
If you hit a provisional ball (let’s say off the tee) and you end up putting the provisional ball in play, you would be lying 3 hitting 4. Provisional balls count as stroke and distance relief, meaning one stroke penalty and playing your next shot from where your original shot was played (in this case, you would be lying 2 hitting 3 off the tee)
@@mglegacy012 can you clarify? You first say lying 3, hitting 4, then say 2, hitting 3. I have no idea why anyone would hit a provisional ball off the tee if you'll be lying 3, hitting 4. You can take a drop from going out of bounds, and even if you have to take a flop shot because the drop is in an awful spot, you'd end up lying 3, hitting 4.
@@dougsholly9323 you are lying 2 hitting 3 off the tee if you choose to make your provisional ball the ball in play. I meant lying 3 hitting 4 after the provisional tee shot
If I can't find a ball in a minute, I give up. That said, when I'm waiting for others, I'm ball hunting in long grass.
What’s the best app with all the rules?
From what my understanding is about number 4, if you had a bad lie as described in number 3 then you could simply state you feel your ball is unplayable and utilize a drop rule (i.e. get a bad lie, say your shot is unplayable and reposition).
Not speaking to the morality, but from a technical standpoint, is this logic correct?
Once you have declared a ball lost and head back to the tee to play another, can your playing partners continue searching during the time you head back to the tee?
You can't declare a ball lost, but if your playing companions continue searching and find it within 3 minutes of the search time commencing, you would have to continue with the original ball whatever that required you do do (i.e. play it or declare it unplayable)
@@GolfMonthly ... And until you play another ball from the tee.?
These guys would suck to play a casual round of golf with. Tournament/match play is different but sometimes you’re just there to enjoy the course and your time
You can play any game you wish and not follow the rules, or follow some rules and not others or even make your own rules up. However, if you are a serious player of any sport, I would suggest that playing well whilst following the rules provides greater satisfaction than knowing that actually you cheated.
When you say 2 club lengths are you talking driver or iron?
I LOVE GOLF
Aren't their drop examples illegal? You need to drop from shoulder height not from your knee.
If your ball rolls outside of the two club length area of a legal drop (such as a slope) twice, then you can place the ball within the two club length area.
Lol what? Go read the 2019 amendments my man :)
You're right, and I also heard about the grounding your club from a lateral hazard too.
Played golf for 20 years and now they are changing stuff.
12:15: Can't you mark the ball, pick it up, remove the loose debris from under it and put the ball back into play?
One rule in particular is relevant:A Player in the company of the deputy vice ladies Captain must always have a spare pulled pork sandwich with mayonnaise and a sprinkling of Dill and fresh lower field lettuce shredded and of course some cayenne pepper spread evenly and,and this is important,offer this to her highness before the challenging fifth hole with the water in front,as she usually takes four hours to cross this difficult par three.yup hard to believe,best advice really is to go home
Doesn't 7:00 contradict 10:03 a bit?
1. You could even declare a ball 'unplayable' even if it's sitting in a playable area.
2. You don't get relief from 'playing the ball as it lies' (unless the area is marked as 'under repair').
Can anyone clarify the difference, please?
No 1 is a one stroke penalty if you relocate the ball.