Unplayable...

[Vulcan]

If I am not mistaken, this rule can actually be used to your advantage. A player, at any point can deem his ball unplayable.

You then have 3 options for your next shot.

Go back and re-hit from previous spot(1 stroke penalty)
Drop with current position between you and flag(1 stroke penalty)
Drop 2 club lengths from position no nearer hole(1 stroke penalty)

Obviously this could be used if you are in a horrible lie, behind trees where you know the ball may not move at all when you swing.

Could you use this on the green?
Could you move your ball away from a nasty slope? What if you know that if you miss your downhill slider, it might go 10,15 or 20 feet by the hole and off the green? What if moving your ball 2 club lengths but no nearer the hole, would give you a straighter uphill putt?

Just curious................

[NoBack]

Could you use this on the green?

I 'm sure this can be done. I have seen where on the (old and very sloppy) 17th green at Mt Cascades. Picture yourself standing over a 6 inch putt that you tap in and miss. It would have rolled down and off the green about 40ft away from you. You declare that unplayable and pray you dont miss again.

[jvincent]

If I am not mistaken, this rule can actually be used to your advantage. A player, at any point can deem his ball unplayable.

Knowing the rules is definitely an advantage.

The situation you describe on the green is in fact a good example of making use of the unplayable.

The rules are there to be used.

One example that comes up a lot is the relief from a cart path. There are lots of situations where taking relief actually puts you in a worse position. In those scenarios, you just hit it where it lies.

The same is true for playing a ball from a hazard. The rules ALLOW you to drop. They don't force you to.

When faced with a situation that allows you a choice, just make the one that gives you the best option within the rules.