Ask Linda #2 - ball unplayable in bunker

Dear Linda,

Two weeks ago at Ramblewood Daisy hit her ball into a bunker. The ball was lodged under a very steep lip. Contemplating her difficult situation, she wisely concluded that she should bite the bullet and declare the ball unplayable. What are her options?

Lulu

Dear Lulu,

Daisy has three choices, and then she has special limitations because the ball is in a bunker. Here are her choices:

Under penalty of one stroke, she may:
1. Play a ball from the spot where the original ball was last played.
2. Drop a ball on the line of sight to the hole.
3. Drop a ball within two club-lengths, not nearer the hole.

Now remember I said Daisy has additional limitations because she is declaring her ball unplayable in a bunker. If she chooses #2 or #3, SHE MUST DROP THE BALL IN THE BUNKER. Bummer, huh?

While we’re dealing with bunker problems, let’s consider the case of a bunker that is partially filled with water. If your ball lands in the water in the bunker, it is now lying in an “abnormal ground condition.” You are entitled to (1) fish your ball out and drop it--WITH NO PENALTY--at the nearest point of relief IN THE BUNKER, NOT NEARER THE HOLE. You also may, if you wish, (2) take it out of the bunker and drop it on the line of sight to the hole, with no limit to how far you may go back, but if you choose this option you must assess yourself ONE PENALTY STROKE. Now we get to the part where golf is so much fun: if there is so much water in the bunker that there is no place you can drop your ball without landing back in the water or landing closer to the hole, then you must go with choice (2). “UNFAIR,” you cry. “If I can’t find relief in the bunker, why must I be assessed one penalty stroke when I take it out?” “Ha, ha,” chuckle the golf rules meisters. “No one is forcing you to take the ball out of the bunker. You may drop the ball in the bunker where the water is more shallow (not nearer the hole, of course), and try to hit it out from there, with no penalty.” Good luck if you choose that option!

Linda

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