Movable Obstructions
These items can be legally removed before taking your shot:
- Loose impediments (fallen branches, leaves)
- Cut grass clippings
Immovable Obstructions
These items must remain in place during play:
- Branches still attached to trees or bushes
- Tall grass that is rooted in the ground
Penalty Areas
Penalty areas are marked by red stakes, most often:
- Ponds/Lakes
- Creeks
- Forested areas
Penalty is +1 stroke, either hit next shot from:
- Same spot that you hit last shot from (1)
- Relief area directly away from flag (2)
Out of Bounds (OB)
Out of Bounds is marked by white stakes, most often:
- Property boundary fences
- Forested Areas not marked by red stakes
Penalty is +1 stroke, must hit next shot from:
- Same spot that you hit last from from (1)
If you think you went OB:
- When in doubt, hit a provisional shot
- Search for your original shot and:
- If you find the original ball, continue on
- If ball is lost, play your provisional
If you did not hit a provisional, for pace of play drop on the fairway near where your ball was lost with +2 strokes penalty
Bunkers
- No grounding your club, but no penalty if incidental
- You can take free relief to dry part of bunker if your ball is in a puddle within bunker
- Relief from unplayable bunker lie:
- Drop in bunker for +1 stroke
- Drop outside bunker for +2 strokes
What counts as a stroke
USGA defines a stroke as any swing you had the intent to hit the ball, but this is a bit strict for our skill level. If you completely miss the ball and it doesn't move, it doesn't count. The opposite is true as well, if you accidentally hit the ball on practice swing simply return the ball to where it was.
Unplayable Lies
If your ball is in an area that is not penalty or OB but you can't get in position to hit it, you can take an unplayable lie. Your two options are:
- If you can see your ball, drop at the nearest point of relief from your ball for +1 stroke
- If you can't see your ball, either return to where you last hit for +1 stroke or drop at nearest relief for +2 strokes
- When in doubt, hit a provisional
Abnormal Conditions Relief
You can take free relief by dropping at the nearest point of relief lateral/away from the hole if your ball and/or stance is:
- in a hole made by an animal
- on the cart path
- in an area marked ground under repair
- obstructed by a tree that is marked with stakes
