An unplayable lie in golf is a situation where a players ball is in play, but they are unable to make a swing or advance the ball. The player is entitled to claim an unplayable lie, and under this rule, they incur a one-stroke penalty. The player has three options when taking an unplayable lie:
-
Go back to the point where you played your previous stroke: This is the first option, and it involves going back to the point from where you played your last shot.
-
Drop your ball within two club lengths of where the ball came to rest: This is the second option, and it involves dropping your ball within two club lengths of where the ball came to rest, without moving closer to the hole.
-
Move straight back from the hole in a straight line: This is the third and final option, and it involves taking the flagstick and the point where your ball came to rest, and moving back away from the hole in a straight line as far as you want. Choose a spot on that line behind your ball, then drop and play from within one club-length of it, not nearer the hole.
A player is the only person who may decide to treat their ball as unplayable by taking penalty relief under Rule 19.2 or 19.3. Unplayable ball relief is allowed anywhere on the course except in a penalty area.
