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Don't Forget About the
Second Option
By: Jack Pultorak,
Director of Rules & Competitions, Florida State Golf
Association |
The Rules of Golf are the
code by which we play this great game. At times they are
simple and other times complex. For a ball lost or out
of bounds, you have only one path to follow; play your
next stroke from where your previous was played. On the
other hand, a ball in a water hazard or an unplayable
ball presents you with multiple choices.
Let’s take a closer look at these multiple choice Rules;
water hazards and an unplayable ball.
These two Rules are structured quite similarly; all
adding one penalty stroke to your score.
• The first option of both of them is the stroke and
distance option. Go back and play your next stroke from
where your previous stroke was played.
• The second options are also similar. Drop a ball
behind a reference point, keeping that reference point
between the hole and the spot on which the ball is
dropped with no limit to how far behind that reference
point the ball may be dropped.
• The third options (available only to lateral type
water hazards) allow you to drop a ball within two
club-lengths of a reference point no nearer the hole.
Everybody wants to jump on the third option! Not so
fast. Dropping within two club-lengths can often leave
you a side hill lie, on a down slope, still behind a
tree or even worse; an uncomfortable half a club
yardage. Why not go back to your favorite yardage or a
more comfortable yardage and drop on an often times
flatter lie where you can hit over the tree with a full
swing?
The next time you face a ball in a water hazard or an
unplayable lie, take a moment and look at all of your
options before you jump to the third option.
Remember, use the index or the table of contents to find
the correct Rule that applies to the situation and
follow the Rules of Golf to help yourself to enjoy the
game of golf.
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