[Interesting Golf Rules] "When Dropping in a Bunker?"

When Declaring 'Unplayable', One Penalty Stroke Then Relief Area Within One Club Length; Two Penalty Strokes for Drop Outside Bunker

When declaring 'unplayable' in a bunker and dropping, the relief area is within 1 club length.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Even world-class top players make mistakes sometimes.

This is about Kim Hyo-joo (25, Lotte), ranked 13th in the world. During the second round of the KLPGA Tour IS Dongseo Busan Open (total prize money 1 billion KRW) held on the 12th at Stonegate Golf Club in Gijang-gun, Busan (par 72), she received a belated '2-stroke penalty.' The problem occurred on the 5th hole (par 5) of the first round the previous day. Her second shot landed in a greenside bunker. She declared the ball 'unplayable,' took a one-stroke penalty, dropped the ball, and continued the game.

However, confusion arose in the relief area. She played from more than one club length away. According to golf rule 14.7, 'playing from a wrong place,' this results in a 2-stroke penalty. The KLPGA Tour called her playing partners Lee So-young (23, Lotte) and Kim Min-seon (25, Korea Land & Housing Trust) for verification. KLPGA referee Choi Jin-ha explained, "Kim Hyo-joo thought the relief area was two club lengths." However, Kim Hyo-joo was not disqualified as her 'scorecard error' was not applied.

This is an exception under golf rule 3.3b(3). It states, "If a player fails to include a penalty of one or more strokes before submitting the scorecard and records a score lower than actual, the player is not disqualified." The penalty for that hole can be added and corrected. The Royal & Ancient Golf Club (R&A) and the United States Golf Association (USGA) simplified bunker-related rules last year. Players are allowed to remove loose impediments from the bunker where the ball lies.

Obstacles such as twigs, pine cones, and stones can be touched or removed. It is allowed to touch the sand with hands or clubs unless testing the condition of the sand. Even hitting the bunker with a club out of frustration incurs no penalty. However, placing the club behind the ball during address is still prohibited to "maintain the challenge." Players may even step outside the bunker to take a shot. Declaring the ball 'unplayable' adds a 2-stroke penalty.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.