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Unplayable ball: compare your relief options

A green golf course with rolling fairways, trees and a winding cart path. — Photo: Calvin Seng / Pexels

Rule 19 · Official source checked 6 November 2026

Outside a penalty area, you may decide your ball is unplayable. The normal options are stroke and distance, back-on-the-line relief or lateral relief, each for one penalty stroke.

On the course

Identify the ball's location before using lateral or back-on-the-line relief.
Choose a permitted option.
Check the relief area and dropping procedure.
Count the penalty.

Worked situation

In a bunker, the normal lateral and back-on-the-line options must remain in that bunker. An additional back-on-the-line option outside the bunker normally costs two penalty strokes in total.

Important distinction

Two club-lengths of lateral relief may still leave a difficult lie. Rule 25 contains relevant modifications for certain players with disabilities.

Sources and further reading

The R&A: Rule 19

Choose a reference point

For lateral relief outside a bunker, use the original ball’s spot as the reference point and measure two club-lengths, no nearer the hole. For back-on-the-line relief, keep the hole and that original spot in line and drop back on that line. You must know the ball’s location for those options; stroke-and-distance relief remains available when the location is unknown.

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