Ball out of bounds: what now?

Your ball flies over the white stakes. Whether it is really out of bounds depends on where it comes to rest: it is only out of bounds when all of it is outside the boundary (Rule 18.2a).

Where the boundary runs

With stakes and fences, the boundary runs along their course side, at ground level. The stakes themselves are already out of bounds. If even a small part of your ball is over this boundary, it is not out of bounds and you play on as normal. A ball that flies over the boundary and comes to rest back on the course is not out of bounds either.

The Rule: go back

If your ball is out of bounds, you count one penalty stroke and play again from where you made your last stroke. That is stroke and distance (Rule 18.2b). From the tee, that is your third stroke, and you may tee it up again (Rule 14.6a).

The alternative: drop up ahead

Since 2019 there has been an alternative, Local Rule E-5. It only applies if the Committee has adopted it, and it is not intended for professional or elite amateur competitions. For two penalty strokes, you drop up ahead without going back, and you then play your fourth stroke.

Your relief area lies between two points: where your ball last crossed the boundary, and the nearest point on the fairway that is no nearer the hole. Lines run from the flag through both points, and two club-lengths are added on the fairway side. You drop in the general area, no nearer the hole than the point on the boundary.

When the Local Rule does not apply

If you played a provisional ball, it does not apply to your original ball. If the provisional ball is also out of bounds or cannot be found, you may use it for that ball. It also does not apply to an unplayable ball or a ball in a penalty area.