What are my options if my ball is unplayable?

Question

Accepted Answer

You can declare your ball unplayable anywhere except in a penalty area (Rule 19). Each option costs one penalty stroke.

In the general area or on the green (Rule 19.2):

Stroke and distance: play again from where you made your previous stroke (you don't need to have found the ball).
Back on the line: drop behind the ball's spot, keeping that spot between the hole and where you drop, as far back as you like. The relief area is one club-length from where the ball first touches the ground, not nearer the hole.
Lateral relief: drop within two club-lengths of the ball's spot, not nearer the hole. If the ball is in a tree, measure from the spot directly below it.

For back-on-the-line and lateral relief you must know where the ball is.

In a bunker (Rule 19.3):

Option	Penalty
Stroke and distance	1 stroke
Back on the line, dropping in the bunker	1 stroke
Lateral relief, dropping in the bunker	1 stroke
Back on the line, dropping outside the bunker	2 strokes in total

In a penalty area: you can't use Rule 19. Your only relief is penalty relief under Rule 17.