What happens when you hit a golf ball out of bounds?

Out of bounds (OB) costs you stroke and distance — re-hit from the original spot with a one-stroke penalty. Many courses now offer a local rule allowing you to drop near where the ball crossed OB with a two-stroke penalty instead of going back to re-hit.

Can you move your golf ball off a cart path?

Yes, a cart path is an immovable obstruction. You get free relief — find the nearest point of complete relief (no closer to the hole) where the path doesn't interfere with your stance, swing, or lie, then drop within one club-length of that point.

What is the penalty for hitting into a water hazard in golf?

A penalty area (water hazard) costs one penalty stroke. You have three options: (1) play it as it lies if possible, (2) go back to where you last played from, or (3) drop behind the penalty area keeping the point where the ball last crossed the edge between you and the hole. Yellow stakes offer these options; red stakes also allow a lateral drop within two club-lengths of where the ball crossed.

Can you take relief from a divot in the fairway?

No. Under the Rules of Golf, a divot hole in the fairway is not ground under repair unless marked as such. You must play the ball as it lies. Yes, it feels unfair. Some local rules may offer relief from divots, but this is not standard.

What is the unplayable ball rule in golf?

You can declare your ball unplayable anywhere on the course except in a penalty area. It costs one penalty stroke. You get three options: (1) go back to where you last played from, (2) drop within two club-lengths of where the ball lies (no closer to the hole), or (3) go back as far as you want on a line from the hole through where the ball lies.

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Where's your ball?

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Golf RulesQuick Reference

Where's your ball?

Ball goes into a yellow penalty area (yellow stakes/lines)

Ball goes into a red penalty area (red stakes/lines)

Can I play my ball from inside a penalty area?

Ball goes out of bounds (white stakes/lines)

Our course has a "drop zone" or local rule for OB

Can't find your ball (lost ball)

How does a provisional ball work?

Ball on or near a cart path

Ball near a sprinkler head or drain cover

Ball in ground under repair (GUR) or in a marked area

Ball plugged/embedded in its own pitch mark

Ball in or near an animal hole (burrowing animal)

Ball in temporary water (puddle/casual water)

Ball near a staked tree or young tree with support

I accidentally hit someone else's ball (wrong ball)

Declaring your ball unplayable

Ball unplayable in a bunker

Ball sitting in a divot in the fairway

Can I touch the sand in a bunker before my shot?

Can I remove leaves and twigs from a bunker?

Ball buried (plugged) in a bunker

Can I clean my ball on the green?

What can I fix on the green?

Can I putt with the flag in?

Ball moved by wind on the green

My putt hit another player's ball on the green

I accidentally hit the ball twice in one swing (double hit)

Where exactly can I tee my ball?

I swung and completely missed the ball on the tee (whiff)

Ball falls off the tee before I swing

I played from the wrong tee markers

I accidentally moved my ball (kicked it, club touched it)

Ball moves after I've addressed it

Can I move leaves, twigs, or stones near my ball?

My ball is near a trash can, rake, or movable object

What counts as "improving my lie"?

Can I take practice swings?

How many clubs can I carry?

I accidentally moved the ball while searching for it

How do I properly drop a ball?

Can I use a rangefinder or GPS?

How fast should I play?

When should I let a group play through?

Should I fix ball marks and divots?

Can I use my phone on the course?

What is "ready golf"?

Are gimme putts real? What's fair?

My ball is stuck in a tree

I accidentally hit into the group ahead

How do I know if relief is free or costs a stroke?

I'm not sure about a rule during my round

Still confused about a rule?

Golf Rules
Quick Reference