SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/golf-out-of-bounds-stroke-and-distance

Your tee shot goes out of bounds. What must you do under the standard rule?

Take stroke and distance: add one penalty stroke and replay from where you last hit.

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  1. Add one stroke and replay from where you last hit ✔
  2. Drop where it went out, no penalty
  3. Add two strokes and drop where it went out

Why: Rule 18.2b says a ball that is lost or out of bounds needs stroke-and-distance relief. You add one penalty stroke and play again from the spot of your previous stroke.

Huh, didn't know that: Replaying a tee shot after going out of bounds means your next shot from the tee is your third stroke.

The dad joke
Why did the golfer go back to the tee? He forgot to pack his ball's passport.
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References

Answer: Add one stroke and replay from where you last hit. Rule 18.2b says a ball that is lost or out of bounds needs stroke-and-distance relief. You add one penalty stroke and play again from the spot of your previous stroke.

  1. The R&A: Rule 18, Stroke-and-Distance Relief www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-18
    must take stroke-and-distance relief by adding one penalty stroke and playing the original ball or another ball from where the previous stroke was made
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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Test yourself in the game

Sports & FitnessWhen may a golfer choose stroke-and-distance relief?Sports & FitnessWhen is a golf ball at rest out of bounds?Sports & FitnessYou put a new ball in play under stroke and distance, then find your first ball. Can you play it?

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