Trevor Ng
Out of bounds (OB) in golf refers to areas outside the boundary edge of the course. If a ball is out of bounds, it is usually marked with white stakes and players incur a penalty, requiring them to place the ball within two club lengths of the point where the ball crossed the OB line. The rules for OB vary depending on the type of golf, such as disc golf or park golf, but the fundamental concept of OB remains consistent across different variations of the sport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full form of OB | Out of bounds |
| What is OB? | Areas outside the boundary edge of the course |
| What happens when a ball goes OB? | The player incurs a penalty and must place the ball on a spot within two club lengths of, and not nearer to the hole than the point where the ball last crossed the OB line |
| How is the boundary edge defined? | Painted lines, strings, and other continuous markings, stakes, flags, and other non-continuous markings |
| What happens if the ball is lost? | You have three minutes to search for your ball before it becomes lost. After that, your only option is to go back to the spot of your previous stroke to play under stroke and distance. |
| What is an exception to the rule for a lost ball? | If it is known or virtually certain what happened to the ball, there is a Local Rule that provides an alternative to stroke and distance relief. |
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What You'll Learn
Out of bounds (OB) zones and lines
When a ball is hit out of bounds, players must add a penalty stroke to their score and play another ball from the location of their previous stroke. If players are unsure whether their ball is out of bounds, they can play a provisional ball from the same spot, but they must announce their intention to do so. If the original ball is found to be out of bounds, the provisional ball becomes the ball in play.
It is important to note that OB stakes and other physical elements that define a course's boundary cannot be moved. Doing so without permission can result in a two-stroke penalty or the loss of a hole. If a player accidentally moves a stake, they can avoid the penalty by restoring the original conditions before playing their next stroke.
In some cases, players may be allowed to drop their ball within a certain distance of the fairway edge or the spot where their ball went out of bounds. This alternative relief option is provided by a Local Rule and is recommended for casual play rather than competitive golf involving highly skilled players.
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OB rules and penalties
When a ball goes out of bounds (OB), it means it has crossed the boundary edge of the course. If there is any part of the ball still within the boundary, it is not considered OB.
If a player's ball goes OB, they must take a stroke-and-distance penalty, adding one penalty stroke and playing the original ball or another ball from where the previous stroke was made. Alternatively, they can hit a provisional ball to save time. However, if the provisional ball becomes the ball in play, and the original ball is found to be OB, the player must take a two-stroke penalty.
There is also an optional Local Rule that can be implemented for casual play, which provides an alternative to stroke-and-distance relief. This allows players to estimate where their ball went OB, find the nearest fairway edge that is not nearer the hole than the estimated spot, and drop a ball within two club-lengths of that fairway edge point. This also carries a two-stroke penalty. This Local Rule cannot be used for an unplayable ball or a ball that is known or likely to be in a penalty area.
It is important to note that in some tournaments, the Local Rule may not apply, and players must follow the standard stroke-and-distance rules for OB balls.
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Identifying OB areas
"Out of bounds" (OB) refers to areas outside the golf course from which play is prohibited, or any area designated as out of bounds by the committee. These areas are not considered part of the course, and when a player lands in them, they incur a penalty.
OB areas are usually marked in some way, often by the use of white stakes, lines, or some other barrier. When OB is defined by a painted line on the ground, the boundary edge is the course-side edge of the line, and the line itself is out of bounds. In this case, stakes may be used to show where the boundary edge is, but they have no other meaning. When OB is defined by other objects such as a wall or road, the boundary edge is defined in the Local Rules and mentioned on the scorecard.
In disc golf, an out-of-bounds area is designated by the Director and is an area from which a disc may not be played, and within which a stance may not be taken. A disc is out-of-bounds if its position is clearly and completely surrounded by an out-of-bounds area. If there is compelling evidence that a disc came to rest within an out-of-bounds area, the disc is considered out-of-bounds and does not need to be located.
In golf, a ball is out of bounds only when "all of it is outside the boundary edge of the course". Even if a tiny part of the ball touches or hangs over an in-bounds area, it is not OB. A ball that passes through the OB zone or line and stops at the fairway is deemed in bounds. A player can stand out of bounds to address the ball.
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Continuing play after going OB
In golf, "OB" is an abbreviation for "out of bounds", which refers to areas outside the golf course where play is prohibited. Out-of-bounds areas are often marked with white stakes or some kind of barrier, such as a fence. If a ball is OB, the player incurs a penalty and must move the ball to a spot within two club lengths of the point where the ball crossed the OB line, but no nearer to the hole.
If you think your ball might be OB, you can play a provisional ball from the same place as the first one, but you must announce your intention to do so to your playing partners. If you are playing in a tournament, it is recommended to always play a provisional ball.
If your ball is in the OB zone, you can stand out of bounds to address the ball, but you cannot remove any items marking the OB area in order to play a shot.
To continue play after going OB, you must first add a penalty stroke to your score. Then, place another ball and play it from the location of your previous stroke. This will be your third shot. If your tee shot goes OB, your next hit becomes your fourth shot.
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Determining if a ball is OB
When playing a round of golf, it is important to know the rules and procedures to follow when a ball is hit out of bounds. Out of bounds, often abbreviated as "OB," is a critical rule in golf that dictates whether a ball is still in play or not. Understanding these rules is essential for golfers to maintain pace of play, make proper rulings, and avoid penalties. Here are the guidelines for determining if a ball is out of bounds:
The first and most obvious indicator is the presence of white stakes or a white line. If a ball comes to rest beyond these boundaries, it is considered out of bounds. These markers are typically placed by the course designers or officials to define the playable area. If any part of the ball is touching or crosses these boundaries, it is OB. Remember that white stakes or lines generally indicate a lateral hazard, so be sure to also look for accompanying signage or consult the course guide to confirm if it is indeed an out-of-bounds marker.
Another common indicator is the use of red stakes or lines. These typically signify lateral hazards, and if your ball lies within these boundaries, you have the option to play it as a water hazard or take a penalty and drop outside the hazard. However, if your ball lies beyond the red stakes or lines, it is then considered out of bounds. As with white stakes, ensure that you interpret the course markings correctly and confirm with the course guide or a rules official if needed.
Additionally, some courses may use fences, walls, or other physical barriers to define the out-of-bounds areas. If your ball clearly goes over or through such a barrier, it is OB. These barriers are often accompanied by white stakes or lines to emphasize the boundary. In the absence of clear markers, you may also refer to the standard rules of golf, which state that the course boundary is defined by the outermost limits of the course property. If your ball goes beyond this property line, it is considered out of bounds.
When determining if a ball is OB, it is important to involve your playing partners or a rules official. Getting a second opinion helps confirm the ball's position and ensures everyone agrees on its status. This is especially important in competitive golf, where rulings can significantly impact the outcome of a hole or the entire round. Always remember to be honest and call your ball OB when it is clearly beyond the boundaries, even if it benefits your score. This integrity is an essential part of the game, and your playing partners will appreciate your honesty.
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Frequently asked questions
OB stands for "out of bounds".
Out of bounds refers to areas outside the boundary edge of the course. A ball is out of bounds when it is entirely outside the boundary edge.
The boundary edge of a golf course can be defined by painted lines on the ground, fences, walls, railings, or stakes.
If your ball goes out of bounds, you must go back to the spot of your previous stroke and play under stroke and distance. You can also play a provisional ball to save time.
If your ball goes out of bounds, you incur a penalty and must place the ball within two club lengths of the point where the ball last crossed the out-of-bounds line.
