What to do with out of bounds golf shots?
Golf Nut, we have a guy in our regular golf group who won’t play out of bounds shots correctly. He always just takes a drop where the ball went out and then sets up for his next golf swing. We’ve tried to tell him that he must go back and hit again with a penalty stroke. Who is right on this golf rule?
Well I guess before you read this answer to your golfing partner, you may want to think about whether being right is more important that keeping your golf foursome intact. But that’s another topic entirely.
Actually you guys are right. On an out of bounds shot, the golfer must drop a ball and play the shot from the spot where the last golf shot was played from. And he must take a stroke. No options. Before you give him too much grief, however, bear in mind that probably 80% of amateur golfers play this the way your friend does. It doesn’t make it right, but may call for some empathy… maybe?
Now one clarification can save you from this “stroke and distance” penalty. The golf ball must be completely out of bounds. If any part of the ball is touching the line between the two closest, white out of bounds stakes, then the golf ball is considered in bounds. And the golfer can stand out of bounds to hit the ball.
Hope this helps and I hope the foursome stays together.
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Comment by Luiz Carlos on 6 April 2006:
Commenting “out of bounds” situation:
As per my understanding, the white stakes are located OUT OF the boundary imaginary line.
By assuming that, instead of saying:
“a portion of the ball is touching the line between the stakes”.
We better say:
…. the ball is touching the imaginary line formed by the INNER face of 2 adjascdent stakes…
I hope this helps
Luiz Carlos
Comment by charles on 28 September 2009:
So according to the out of bounds rule applied here, he would be hitting his third shot.
is this correct?
Comment by David Stargel on 3 October 2009:
Charles,
That is correct. He would be hitting his third shot.
David
The Golf Nut
Comment by Gerry on 9 August 2010:
If you go out of bounds and are playing stapleford can you still cary on playing the hole or are you out of that hole ?
Comment by Peter on 15 February 2011:
So …(and don’t laugh) – what is the application of the rule (important – the APPLICATION) when a ball is PUTTED out of bounds?
Comment by Nick on 6 November 2011:
I understand you are required to go back and hit from where you were on the stroke you lost your ball. It seems impractical when there is a foursome now on the tee box behind you, where you teed off on you lost ball. Now if you fail to hit a provisional, after the swing you lost your ball on, drive 250 yards forward, and find your ball out of bounds, what am I supposed to do? Do I drive back 250 yards and tell the guys trailing me, that I lost my ball and need to re-hit? Wouldn’t they see this as poor etiquette? Sometimes, you really don’t believe you need to hit a provisional, however you find your ball lying out of bounds? What do you do in this situaltion? I just want to keep my posted scores and handicap true, however I don’t want to piss off the guys behind me and slow down play either?