Rule 28.
Ball Unplayable
The player may deem his ball unplayable at any place on the course, except when
the ball is in a water hazard. The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is
unplayable.
If the player deems his ball to be unplayable, he must, under penalty of one
stroke:
a. Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball
was last played (see Rule 20-5); or
b. Drop a ball behind the point where the ball lay, keeping that point directly
between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to
how far behind that point the ball may be dropped; or
c. Drop a ball within two club-lengths of the spot where the ball lay, but not
nearer the hole.
If the
unplayable ball is in a bunker, the player may proceed under Clause a, b or c.
If he elects to proceed under Clause b or c, a ball must be dropped in the bunker.
When proceeding under this Rule, the player may lift and clean his ball or
substitute a ball.
Penalty for Breach of Rule:
Match play - Loss of hole; Stroke play - Two strokes.