Dear Linda
Am I correct to believe that option 1 (stroke and distance) as explained in the Diagram 19.3 can only be chosen if the player has not made an attempt to play the ball out of the bunker? Is it also the case that the other 3 options may be used after unsuccessful attempt(s), including in one's score of course the number of attempts made, as well as the penalties?
Our club members look forward to reading your blog!
Regards
Victoria, Australia
Dear Lulu,
Yes.
If your attempt to hit your ball out of the bunker fails (i.e., your ball remains in the bunker), and you decide that your ball is unplayable, you have four relief options:
1. Stroke and distance. For one penalty stroke, drop a ball in the bunker, using the spot of your previous shot in the bunker as the reference point for the one-club-length relief area. The relief area must be in the bunker, since your previous shot was from the bunker.
2. Back-on-the-line relief. For one penalty stroke, drop a ball back on the line in the bunker. Your reference point is behind where your ball now lies.
3. Lateral relief. For one penalty stroke, drop a ball in the bunker within two club-lengths of where the ball now lies. The relief area must be in the bunker, no closer to the hole.
4. Outside the bunker. For a total of two penalty strokes, you may drop a ball back on the line outside the bunker. Your reference point is outside the bunker on the line that goes straight back from the hole through the spot where your ball now lies.
Please review Rule 19.3 (Relief Options for Unplayable Ball in Bunker) and Rule 14.6 (Making Next Stroke from Where Previous Stroke Made). You may also wish to review Rule 17.2a and the accompanying diagram. This Rule, which applies to penalty areas (notbunkers), allows you to take stroke-and-distance relief from where you made the last stroke outside the penalty area when your attempt to play your ball from a penalty area remains in the penalty area.
Linda
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