While watching the PGA today there was a rules clip with Gary McCord. He was putting and proceeded to putt the ball about 40 yds off the green. And in his scenario he stated it was a brutally hot day and he didn't feel like walking all the way down the slope of the green to his ball in his fwy. So he declared his ball unplayable. Apparently you can declare your ball unplayable at anytime. I wasn't aware of this. I don't think it's very honourable, but apparently allowed. I always interpretted the rule to mean a ball that couldn't be hit safely, show's how much I know. But if I was in a competition I'd gladly go and try to hole out with my original than just throwing away penalty strokes.