Golfing is a unique sport. You can either have a day filled with great shots or you have days filled with sand bunkers. When this happens, players will typically go ahead and just move forward with their bunker shots. Attempting to determine how best to get the ball back to where it needs to be. However, there are times when you can’t do that: when the ball is just in too difficult a spot. We all know the spot. The ball rolled too close the lip of the bunker, you would be spraying sand everywhere, and even taking more shots than necessary just to try and extract it from its position. What many don’t realize is that this infuriating scenario is avoidable. Not without a cost but it’s better than the alternatives. This is known as Rule 19-Unplayable Ball.

Most golfers believe that Rule 19 is for other types of hazards. It’s an often-overlooked fact that the rule can be applied to bunkers. When it’s too difficult, you have several options to extract yourself from the situation. Each option has its own pluses and minuses.  The severity of your scenario will depend on the option you take.

Replay

The actual name of this is “Stroke and Distance” and it is the first option that many golfers choose. At anytime, not just in the bunker, a player is allowed to take their shot again. This is not the same as a Mulligan, as it comes with the addition of one penalty stroke. For example, if you are on the fairway and land in a bunker, knowing you will have little chance of getting out, you can call for “Stroke and Distance-Rule 19” and replay your shot. This is the first option for the simple reason that it’s the most common desire. Whenever a shot is fowled, by wind or poor swing, the player always wishes to do it again. It’s the first instinct and usually, a good option.

However, if the chance of hitting once more into the bunker is high, then this is not for you. Sometimes, it’s better to stick with the play and adjust at the bunker.

Adjusting at the Bunker

There are two play options when choosing to adjust your ball at the bunker. This play is in case the conditions do not allow a replay of the ball or if you feel comfortable in simply moving the ball back. The actual name of this play is called “Back-on-the-Line-Relief” and is more commonly used at a yellow staked penalty area. “The-Back-on-the-Line”, refers to the player drawing an imaginary line from the flag on the green through your ball. Wherever that line is, you are allowed to move your ball backwards on that line.

There are two styles of this relief: in the bunker and out of the bunker. Each relief play has several caveats to them and will change based on the location.

The Caveats of “Back-on-the-Line”

For both options of this play, you must drop the ball. However, the ball will roll along the line, and you may end up in a still precarious position. This depends on the scenery around you. The angle of the shot, the type of grass, the closeness of the green, and the proximity of the fairway. Hence, why there are two options for a bunker: inside or outside.

When playing inside of the bunker, you can move your ball back as far as the bunker’s edge. This allows you more room to maneuver. If you were sitting at the curve of the lip and are comfortable with bunkers, it’s a good option. It also only leaves you with a one stroke penalty.

When playing outside of the bunker, you can move your ball back as far as you desire, so long as you remain on the line. It’s a good option if you are not comfortable with bunkers or are at a difficult angle of play. The negative is you must take 2 penalty strokes. Yet, this gives you the opportunity to back up a significant distance.

Why is this good? It means you can change direction. While being in the bunker forces you to either play for the green or simply attempt to extract yourself from it, this allows more range. Once you drop your ball, you can now choose to either make for the green, the fairway, or attempt to get into a better location in the sweet spot between the green and the fairway. For a higher stroke of penalty, you are rewarded with more variety.

Still in the Bunker

There is one more option while you are inside of the bunker: it’s called “Two Club Lengths”. This allows you to drop the ball two club lengths of your unplayable ball. Most people will ask, well, which club? Usually, it’s the club in your hand. Some will pull out their longest club, usually the driver, to gain length but the unspoken etiquette is to use the same club you would use for the shot.

The main downside to this play is that you are still in the bunker. The upside is you can move side to side. Let’s say the bunker shape has a higher wall to the right and dips to the left. Your ball currently is to the right. You can now move the ball to the left, two club lengths, as if you are moving around a tree. It’s a good option for the right shape of a bunker. However, you are still dropping your ball. If it rolls, you are back where you started.

As a note: this is the only way to move your ball side to side. In golf, moving your ball is always done in line with the flag on the green. This relief allows more flexibility, keeping the same distance but maneuvering to a better vantage point. However, you still need to ensure it is moving no closer to the hole.  

So Much Sand

In the end, taking a penalty to get out of a bunker relies on three things: the terrain, your score, and your game. If the terrain is too difficult then your best option is to not risk it and use one of the options above. However, if your score is very high, you may take the chance to not use Rule-19. That’s why it also comes down to your game.

If you do not want to risk the score and are confident in your skills: take the shot. However, even the greats have been defeated by the fiends of sand. It’s not unusual or a comment on your skill if you use Rule-19 for a bunker. There are certain shots that can never be made: even if you had years of practice.

So, the next time you find yourself in the bunker, look through your options and remember that you always have Rule-19.