From time-time I will try to highlight rules that are often misused, confused or violated by amateurs. The "unplayable lie" is a prime example. Let’s start from rule 28 and work back. If you violate this rule in stroke play it costs you TWO strokes. In match play you lose the hole. Tough penalty, so it behooves you to understand it. Who decides the ball is unplayable? Only one person makes this decision…you. There are no criteria except what you decide fits your game, your ability and the situation. That obviously means that what is unplayable to one player is not to another. It’s your choice and it only costs you one stroke to exercise this privilege. It is the better part of valor to use this rule in many instances. For example, let’s say your ball has come to rest between two tree roots. You feel you cannot safely make a stroke without either endangering the health of your hands or that the ball may take an untoward hop into deeper trouble. Further, even getting it out would not advance it toward the hole. Two clublengths away is fairway and a clean lie with 150 yards to the pin. You take your drop in a perfectly safe area and you’ve still got a chance to get up and down. Now that you have decided to take an "unplayable lie" penalty, what are your options? And note that you get to clean your ball before dropping.

1. Play the stroke as nearly as possible from where you played the last stroke. This is the classic "stroke and distance" penalty.

2. Drop the ball behind the point at which the ball has come to rest, keeping that place between you and the flagstick. You may go back as far as you
wish.

3. Drop the ball two clublengths either way, no nearer the hole. Oneexception, if you are in a bunker, you cannot drop it out. Nice try, Charlie.

As you can see, you have many good options under this rule. The central thought in making this decision is, "with my best shot, can I reach the green without taking a drop?" That question comes up in many situations in golf but is vital here. If the answer is "no," be smart and get yourself in a position where you will only lose the single shot you would have sacrificed anyway. Always remember to play golf to get yourself in the best obtainable situation to play your next shot. That’s Thoughtful Golf.

(c) Sandy Bunker, 2007

MEMBERS COMMENTS VIEWING 1 - 2 OUT OF 2 COMMENTS From: MacInTheSandAgain 04/29/2007 09:16:06 I think I need to rethink my game play and take the penalty.   I am the "big macho man" who ALWAYS thinks I can hit it out, no matter what the lay, even when my playing partners are telling me to take a drop.  No more!  Time to change my mind set!  Thanks! From: howzit 04/27/2007 06:55:48 Great topic and even better advice!!!  Most people would sacrifice themselves and the situation rather than take a drop......that'swhy we have high handicaps