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.