Playing The Game
Various stroke penalties in golf
These penalties are commonly encountered during a round of golf and are important for maintaining fair play and integrity on the course.
| Rule Violation | Penalty | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Out of Bounds (OB) | One stroke penalty | When a player's ball goes out of bounds, the player must replay the shot from the original spot with a one-stroke penalty. |
| Lost Ball | One stroke penalty | If a player's ball cannot be found within the three-minute search time allowed, the ball is considered lost. The player must then replay the shot from the original spot. |
| Unplayable Lie | One stroke penalty | A player may declare their ball unplayable and take relief with a one-stroke penalty. Various options are available, such as stroke-and-distance or taking relief. |
| Water Hazard | One stroke penalty | If a player's ball comes to rest in a water hazard, the player incurs a one-stroke penalty and has options for relief. |
| Grounding Club in Hazard | One stroke penalty | Touching the ground with a club in a hazard before making a stroke typically incurs a one-stroke penalty. |
| Playing the Wrong Ball | Two stroke penalty (stroke play) | If a player plays a ball that is not theirs, they incur a two-stroke penalty in stroke play. |
| Improving Line of Play or Conditions | Two stroke penalty (stroke play) | Improving the area of intended swing or stance (e.g., moving loose impediments) incurs a two-stroke penalty in stroke play. |