The rules of golf are difficult! Luckily we have the guru. Our Rules Man knows the book from cover to cover. Do you have a question? He has all the answers.
I know, or at least I think I know, how to deal with an unplayable lie in a sandbox: take a one-penalty penalty for falling in the right spot in the trap, or a two-penalty penalty for dodging outside the trap. But what if the ball is hidden and unidentifiable while lying down, and you don’t want to take a penalty? Can you identify the ball and then try to recreate the hidden lie, or should you just pop out and take a chance on it being the right ball? – Donald R. O’Neil, via email
Essentially, Donald, your question is not about whether the ball is unplayable, but rather about identifying a ball in the sand. Yes, you can identify your ball in a connected lie; you mark and lift just as you would in a rough situation, not cleaning the ball (except, if necessary, only enough to identify it), and then replace the ball.
The added wrinkle when it comes to sand – whether in a bunker or not – is that you have to recreate the lie. Ergo, you have to put the ball back as it was in the connected situation. If the ball was completely covered but you were still able to find it, you can leave a small piece visible to avoid potentially losing it again. Look up the rules of golf and discover 7.3 and 14.2d.
For more lying advice from our guru, read on…
When teeing off, I hit my ball completely underground, eight inches forward. I said the ball was embedded, which entitled it to a postponement. My opponent said it was unplayable, necessitating a one-stroke penalty. Rules Guy says… – Aaron Lowe, via email
…to consider a driver with more loft.
Rule 16.3a(2) states that a ball hit straight into the ground without becoming airborne is not embedded, so relief from an embedded ball is not allowed.
That said, if the ball remains inside the teeing ground (if by chance you tee off more than eight inches behind the markings, so that your ball is still in the ground behind the markings), you can lift the ball and tee off again anywhere within the teeing ground without penalty, by hitting 2, under Rule 6.2b.
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