5/25/2026
If you cannot play the ball, you can take relief from outside the penalty area for one penalty stroke. Your three options include playing from where your last stroke was made (stroke and distance), or take back-on-the-line relief by going as far back as far you’d like on the line between the hole and where your ball last crossed the edge of the penalty area (likely not best option in this case). Finally, in a red penalty area, you have the option to take relief within two club-lengths of where the ball last crossed into the penalty area.
Here is a link to a USGA video which breaks down the relief options as described.
USGA VIDEO LINK
The right side of the hole will be marked with white stakes which define it as OUT OF BOUNDS. If your ball comes to rest entirely in this area, you will have two options available. The first is the standard stroke and distance option, which is taking one penalty stroke and hitting your next shot from where your last shot was struck. The second option,
which is the preferred procedure on #12 for casual rounds, including weekly league play, is to use local rule E-5. This is an
Alternate to Stroke and Distance for Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds. This will eliminate the need to hit your next shot from the original spot. When taking this option, the player would be assessed with two penalty strokes. For a full explanation on this rule, please click
HERE. You can see when viewing the link, the drop is very generous with this option. So much so, that you can make your way back to the fairway. The key point to remember is that you are assessed two penalty shots when taking this option.
I played my first round last Friday, and our group encountered multiple situations in which a ball came to rest in newly sodded areas. In most cases, the ball was played as it lies. However, please be aware of how to take relief if your ball comes to rest in freshly sodded areas, in particular on the sod line. In this case, despite not being painted and identified by Chad’s team, it can be assumed that it is GROUND UNDER REPAIR. It is always a good idea, especially for league play, to consult with someone else in your group before lifting your golf ball. In these situations, you are entitled to FREE relief. Here is another USGA video which gives a great explanation on how to take relief
USGA GUR LINK. This is a very important rule to be aware of since we will be encountering situations like this for most of the first half of the season.
If reading my article and the points I made about rules give you any sort of anxiety, or you simply do not understand, all the more reason to attend RULES NIGHT on Thursday, May 28
th from 4:00pm – 6:00pm. You can visit the website calendar to register for this event.
We have two fitting events this weekend. You can sign up for Taylormade on Saturday, May 30
th and/or Callaway on Sunday, May 31
st. If your preferred time is not available, you can still stop by to test the product. The links to sign up are below:
TAYLORMADE SIGN UP
CALLAWAY SIGN UP