Rules and Decisions

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The USGA, in conjunction with The R&A in St. Andrews, Scotland, writes, interprets and maintains the Rules of Golf to guard the tradition and integrity of the game. The two organizations are joint authors and owners of The Rules of Golf and Decisions on the Rules of Golf. Through an agreement with The R&A, the Rules jurisdiction of the USGA includes only the United States, its possessions and Mexico. The latest version went into effect Jan. 1, 2012, with the next revision taking effect Jan. 1, 2016.

 

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Rule 28

Ball Unplayable

 

Definitions

All defined terms are in italics and are listed alphabetically in the Definitions section – see pages 2235.

The player may deem his ball unplayable at any place on the course, except when the ball is in a water hazard. The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable.

If the player deems his ball to be unplayable, he must, under penalty of one stroke:

a. Proceed under the stroke and distance provision of Rule 27-1 by playing a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or

b. Drop a ball behind the point where the ball lay, keeping that point directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind that point the ball may be dropped; or

c. Drop a ball within two club-lengths of the spot where the ball lay, but not nearer the hole.

If the unplayable ball is in a bunker, the player may proceed under Clause a, b or c. If he elects to proceed under Clause b or c, a ball must be dropped in the bunker.

When proceeding under this Rule, the player may lift and clean his ball or substitute a ball.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE:

Match play – Loss of hole; Stroke play – Two strokes.

Rules

28 Ball Unplayable

Decisions

28/1 When Necessary to Find and Identify Ball Deemed Unplayable
28/2 Player Deems First Ball from Tee Unplayable, Abandons Provisional Ball and Claims He Is Lying Three with Third Ball
28/3 Ball Dropped Under Unplayable Ball Rule Comes to Rest in Original Position or Another Position at Which Ball Is Unplayable
28/4 Ball Deemed Unplayable Through the Green Dropped in Hazard
28/4.5 Ball Deemed Unplayable Through the Green Dropped in Water Hazard; Player Elects Not to Play Ball and Wishes to Proceed Under the Water Hazard Rule
28/5 Regression Under Unplayable Ball Rule
28/6 Player Plays Second Shot, Deems Ball Unplayable and Returns to Tee
28/6.5 Player Deems Ball Unplayable a Second Time and Wishes to Proceed Under Stroke and Distance After Dropping a Ball Under Other Unplayable Option
28/7 Player Misses Ball and Deems It Unplayable
28/8 Ball Deemed Unplayable; Place from Which Previous Stroke Played Is Nearer Hole
28/9 Ball Lying on Grass-Covered Ground Within Bunker Deemed Unplayable
28/10 Ball Dropped Outside Bunker Under Option Requiring Drop in Bunker
28/11 Ball Unplayable in Tree and Player Opts to Drop Within Two Club-Lengths
28/12 Ball Unplayable at Base of Cliff and Player Wishes to Drop Within Two Club-Lengths of Point Above Ball
28/13 After Deeming Ball Unplayable and Lifting It, Player Discovers Ball Was in Ground Under Repair
28/14 Stray Ball Deemed Unplayable Played Under Stroke-and-Distance Procedure; Original Ball Then Found
28/15 Stray Ball Deemed Unplayable, Dropped Within Two Club-Lengths and Played Before Error Discovered