QUESTION:  WHAT IS THE UNPLAYABLE BALL RULE?

ANSWER: FIRST, A BALL CAN BE DEEMED UNPLAYABLE ANYWHERE ON THE GOLF COURSE EXCEPT WHEN IT LIES IN A WATER HAZARD. SECOND, THE PLAYER IS THE SOLE JUDGE OF WHEN A BALL IS UNPLAYABLE.

RELIEF:  IF YOU DECLARE YOUR BALL UNPLAYABLE, THERE ARE THREE RELIEF OPTIONS AVAILABLE. ALL OPTIONS COME WITH A PENALTY OF ONE STROKE.

A)  PLAY ANOTHER BALL AS NEAR AS POSSIBLE FROM THE SPOT WHERE THE ORIGINAL SHOT WAS PLAYED.

B)   DROP A BALL BEHIND THE POINT WHERE THE FIRST BALL CAME TO REST, KEEPING IT IN LINE WITH THE PIN. THERE IS NO LIMIT AS TO HOW FAR BACK YOU MAY GO.

C)  DROP A BALL WITHIN TWO CLUB LENGTHS OF WHERE THE ORIGINAL BALL CAME TO REST, NO CLOSER TO THE HOLE.

D)   

IF THE BALL THAT YOU DECLARE UNPLAYABLE IS IN A BUNKER, AND YOU CHOOSE EITHER B OR C, THE BALL MUST BE DROPPED IN A BUNKER.