Nina Caldwell
Golf can be a tricky game to get your head around, especially when it comes to scoring. One of the most severe penalties in golf is hitting a ball out of bounds (OB). If a ball is hit out of bounds, marked by white lines or external fencing, the player must return to the original spot and hit another shot, incurring a two-stroke penalty. To save time, golfers can hit a provisional ball, which can be used if the original is out of bounds. However, this is a complex area, with local rules coming into play, and red stakes marking lateral hazards also impacting scoring.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Out of bounds (OB) | Defined by white lines, external fencing, or walls on the course |
| Penalty | Two-shot penalty |
| Re-tee | Yes |
| Third shot | Yes |
| Provisional ball | A second ball played to save time; must be announced before playing |
| Red stakes | Mark lateral hazards |
| White stakes | USGA Rule #27 states that the player must return and hit another shot from the original spot |
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What You'll Learn
- Out of bounds (OB) rules: If your ball goes out of bounds, you must return to the original spot and hit again
- Provisional balls: You can play a provisional ball to save time if you think your original ball is out of bounds
- Red stakes: These mark lateral hazards. It's impractical to take relief behind the hazard
- White stakes: If your ball goes beyond these, USGA Rule #27 states you must return to the original spot
- Local rules: These provide alternatives to stroke and distance relief. They are recommended for casual play
Out of bounds (OB) rules: If your ball goes out of bounds, you must return to the original spot and hit again
Golf has a lot of rules, and Out of Bounds (OB) rules are among the most important. If your golf ball goes out of bounds, you must add a two-stroke penalty to your score. Out of bounds is typically defined by white lines or external fencing/walls on the course. If your ball goes beyond these boundaries, you must return to the spot of your previous stroke and play under stroke and distance. This means you will lose both a stroke and distance, which is considered one of the most severe penalties in golf.
To save time, you can play a provisional ball, which is a second ball that you play before you go and search for your original ball. You must announce that you are playing a provisional ball. If you find your original ball within the three-minute search window and it is in-bounds, you can pick up your provisional ball with no penalty. However, if you are unable to find your original ball or it is out of bounds, your provisional ball becomes your ball in play, and you don't have to walk back to the spot of your previous stroke.
There is also a Local Rule that provides an alternative to stroke and distance relief. This rule is recommended for casual play and not for competitions involving highly skilled players. Under this rule, for two penalty strokes, you can estimate the spot where your ball went out of bounds and then find the nearest fairway edge that is not closer to the hole than the estimated spot. You can then drop a ball within two club-lengths of that fairway edge point or anywhere between there and the estimated spot.
It is important to note that if your tee shot goes out of bounds, your next shot will be your third stroke. Some courses may have local rules printed on the back of the scorecard, so it is essential to check and follow the specific rules of the course you are playing on.
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Provisional balls: You can play a provisional ball to save time if you think your original ball is out of bounds
Provisional balls are a useful tool in golf that can save you time and help you avoid penalties. Essentially, a provisional ball is a second ball that you can play if you think your original ball is lost or out of bounds. This allows you to keep playing without having to go back and play another ball from where your original shot was taken.
To use a provisional ball, you must announce your intention by saying "provisional ball" or referencing Rule 27-2a. You can then either tee up again or place the ball in the teeing area if your original shot was a tee shot. If your original shot was played from elsewhere on the course, you should drop the provisional ball within one club length of where the original shot was hit, no closer to the hole.
It's important to note that you can continue playing your provisional ball until you reach the place where your original ball is likely to be. If you find your original ball and it is in bounds, you can pick up your provisional ball with no penalty. However, if your original ball is out of bounds, your provisional ball becomes the ball in play, and you add a one-stroke penalty.
Provisional balls are a great way to keep the game moving and avoid having to go back to the spot of your previous shot. They are particularly useful when you believe your ball is lost or out of bounds, as they allow you to keep playing without interruption.
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Red stakes: These mark lateral hazards. It's impractical to take relief behind the hazard
Red stakes on a golf course mark lateral hazards. These hazards usually run parallel to the hole, making it impractical to take relief by going behind the hazard.
If your ball ends up beyond the red stakes, you have several options for how to proceed, each with different consequences for your score.
Firstly, you can choose to play the ball as it lies, without incurring a penalty. Secondly, you may drop within two club lengths of the point of entry, but no nearer the hole, for a one-stroke penalty. Thirdly, for a one-stroke penalty, you can drop behind the hazard on a line formed by the hole and the point where the ball entered the hazard. Fourthly, you can take a one-stroke penalty and drop at a spot on the hazard's margin that is equidistant from the hole, on the opposite side of the hazard. Finally, you can return to the tee or the last spot from which you played the ball.
Golf courses may also have white stakes, which indicate that a ball is out of bounds. If your ball lands beyond the white stakes, you must return and hit another shot from the original spot where you last struck the ball before it went out of bounds. This is considered one of the most severe penalties in golf, as the player loses both a stroke and distance.
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White stakes: If your ball goes beyond these, USGA Rule #27 states you must return to the original spot
White stakes are used to mark the out-of-bounds (OB) areas of a golf course. If your ball goes beyond these white stakes, USGA Rule #27 states that you must return to the original spot where you hit the ball before it went OB and hit another shot from there. This ruling is considered one of the most severe penalties in golf, as the player loses both a stroke and distance.
To save time, many golfers will hit a provisional ball when they feel their original ball has flown out of bounds. A provisional ball is a second ball that is played and must be announced before doing so. It will only be used if it is later discovered that the original ball went out of bounds. This saves the player time by not requiring them to return to the original spot to play another ball. If the player finds their original ball in bounds, they can pick up the provisional ball with no penalty.
It is important to note that white stakes are not classed as movable obstructions, even if they can be moved. They are boundary objects that are considered "fixed". If your ball is in bounds and a white stake interferes with your swing, stance, or lie, you cannot move it, and there is no free relief available.
The colour of the stakes used to mark boundaries is typically white, but another colour may be used. The Committee should avoid using red or yellow stakes to mark boundaries to prevent confusion with penalty areas. The distance between stakes may vary, but it is ideal for the base of one stake to be visible from the next to determine if a ball is out of bounds.
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Local rules: These provide alternatives to stroke and distance relief. They are recommended for casual play
Local rules, printed on the back of scorecards, provide alternatives to stroke and distance relief. They are recommended for casual play or a golfer's own competitions, but not for professional or elite amateur competitions. These rules are designed to improve the pace of play, as they eliminate the need for a golfer to return to the spot of the previous stroke.
When a ball is lost or goes out of bounds, the standard stroke-and-distance procedure can be time-consuming and inconvenient for the player and their group. The alternative relief procedure under the Local Rule allows a player to take relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in the relief area for two penalty strokes. This is comparable to the outcome of the stroke-and-distance procedure.
The Local Rule cannot be used for an unplayable ball or a ball that is in a penalty area. It also cannot be used if a provisional ball has been played, unless neither the original nor the provisional ball can be found. Before using the Local Rule, golfers should verify with the person in charge of the golf course or competition that it is in effect.
The Local Rule can be applied to the entire golf course or limited to specific holes. It is important to note that a golf course may have Local Rule E-5 in effect for general play but decide to exclude it for certain tournaments. In such cases, all players in the competition should be informed before play begins.
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Frequently asked questions
A birdie is when you complete a hole in one stroke under par. For example, if a hole is par-4 and you complete it in three strokes, you've scored a birdie.
An eagle happens when you complete a hole in two strokes less than its par. So, if a hole is par-5 and you finish it in three strokes, that's an eagle.
An albatross, also known as a double eagle, occurs when a golfer completes a hole three strokes under par. For example, if you manage to complete a par-5 hole in two strokes, you've achieved an albatross. It is an incredibly rare feat.
A hole-in-one, also known as an ace, occurs when a ball hit from a tee to start a hole finishes in the cup. It is the rarest and most celebrated feat in golf. Holes-in-one most commonly occur on par-3 holes, the shortest holes on a standard-size golf course.
