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.

Rules of Golf: Unplayable Lie

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

Unplayable Lie Scenario: Rule 28

In a Stroke Play Tournament...

Sierra tees up and hits her drive into a bush on the right side of the fairway.

What can she do?

1. Sierra could try to hit her ball out of the bush. She would be hitting her second shot, or

2. Sierra could declare that she has an unplayable lie and could then perform one of the following options, under penalty of one stroke:

• She could go back to the tee box and tee up another ball. She would be hitting her third shot from the tee box.
• She could drop the ball within two club lengths of the spot where the ball lies, no closer to the hole. She would be hitting her third shot.
• She could walk backwards from where her ball was in the bush, on a line that is in a direct line with the flagstick on the green. She would be hitting her third shot.

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