GUIDES · BETSLIP DOCTOR
How many penalty strokes does it cost to take an unplayable ball out of a bunker?
The player decides whether to use unplayable-ball relief. Under the R&A’s standard Rule 19, stroke-and-distance, back-on-the-line relief within the bunker, and lateral relief within the bunker each cost one penalty stroke. Stroke-and-distance returns the player to the previous stroke location, which may be outside the bunker; only the latter two options require an in-bunker drop. The extra back-on-the-line option outside the bunker costs two. Rule 25.4n changes that extra option to one penalty stroke for a player covered by the modification who uses a wheeled mobility device.
For Golfers reading a bunker escape on a scorecard or comparing relief options. · Updated
The player chooses whether to take unplayable relief
Rule 19 lets the player decide to treat a ball as unplayable anywhere on the course except in a penalty area. A bunker does not prevent the player from using the rule, but the relief options have different drop locations and penalty counts.
One stroke for each standard option; only two require a bunker drop
For one penalty stroke, the player may take stroke-and-distance relief, back-on-the-line relief within the bunker, or lateral relief within the bunker. For the latter two options, the ball must be dropped in and come to rest in the bunker. Stroke-and-distance relief returns the player to the previous stroke location, which may be outside the bunker.
The extra outside back-on-the-line option costs two
The extra Rule 19.3b option is back-on-the-line relief outside the bunker for a total of two penalty strokes. Rule 25.4n changes that extra option to one penalty stroke for a player covered by the disability modification who uses a wheeled mobility device. If the ball is in a penalty area, Rule 19 unplayable relief is unavailable; use Rule 17 instead.
A fictional bunker choice
A fictional player decides their ball in a bunker is unplayable. Under the standard Rule 19, the player can take stroke-and-distance relief for one penalty stroke, returning to the previous stroke location, which may be outside the bunker; back-on-the-line relief for one penalty stroke with the ball dropped and coming to rest in the bunker; or lateral relief for one penalty stroke with the ball dropped and coming to rest in the bunker. The extra choice is back-on-the-line relief outside the bunker for two penalty strokes. If the player is covered by Rule 25.4n and uses a wheeled mobility device, that extra outside option costs one penalty stroke instead. If the ball were in a penalty area, the player would use Rule 17, not Rule 19.
Related questions
Can I declare a ball in a penalty area unplayable?
Rule 19 unplayable-ball relief is not available in a penalty area. Rule 19.1 directs the player to Rule 17 penalty-area relief instead.