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  5. Player claimed relief for his unplayable ball, after the drop his ball came to rest in an unplayable position again.
Malere Landschaft mit schneebedeckten Bergen im Hintergrund, grünem Golfplatz und ruhigem See. Der Himmel ist klar und blau, umgeben von dichter Vegetation.

Player claimed relief for his unplayable ball, after the drop his ball came to rest in an unplayable position again.

Player wanted to repeat his drop without penalty.

This is not the case, see also the interpretation:

Rule 19.2 General interpretations:
19.2/1 - No guarantee that ball will be playable after claiming relief for unplayable ball
If relief is claimed for an unplayable ball, the player must accept the result, even if it is unfavourable, for example if a dropped ball comes to rest in its original position or in a bad position elsewhere in the relief area.

  • As soon as the dropped ball comes to rest in the relief area, a new situation arises for the player.
  • If the player decides that he cannot (or does not want to) play the ball as it now lies, he can again claim relief for an unplayable ball with a penalty stroke, using any available relief option in accordance with Rule 19.
unplayable ball

A player decides that his ball is unplayable in a bush. The player has three choices, each with a penalty stroke:
(1) The player may claim relief with stroke and loss of distance by playing the original or another ball from a relief area at the spot from which the previous stroke was made (see Rule 14.6 and Figure 14.6)

(2) The player may claim relief back down the line by dropping the original or another ball in a relief area based on a reference line from the hole straight back through the spot where the original ball lay. The reference point is a location on the course chosen by the player that is on the reference line and further from the hole than the location of the original ball. There is no restriction on how far back on the line the reference point may lie.
The relief area extends one club length from the reference point, is not closer to the hole and may be in any area of the course. When choosing this reference point, the player should mark this point with an object (for example, a tee).

(3) The player may make use of lateral relief. The reference point is the location of the original ball. The relief area extends two club lengths from the reference point, is no closer to the hole and may be in any area of the course.


In the meantime, if you would like to know more about the Rules of Golf, please contact me directly at hans.kienesberger@golf.at.