Lost or out of bounds: stroke and distance.

A lost ball outside a penalty area and an out-of-bounds ball normally require stroke-and-distance relief.

Plain-language guide · Rule 18.2. Use the current official text and your round’s Local Rules for a ruling.

What to know

Add one penalty stroke and play again from the previous spot. A tee shot out of bounds means the next tee shot is your third stroke.

On the course

A nearby fairway drop is not automatic. Check whether the course has adopted Model Local Rule E-5 before considering that alternative.