Can I Declare A Ball Unplayable In A Bunker?

Hi, my name is Barry Rhodes, and here is another question I received on The Rules of Golf this past week:

RULES OF GOLF QUESTION:

“Is it true that you can declare an unplayable lie when your ball goes in a bunker? And is it true you can go back to where you hit the ball, or anywhere in between, and redo the shot with one penalty stroke. Also, what rules cover this?”

RULES OF GOLF ANSWER:

“It is true that you can declare your ball unplayable when it is in a bunker. Rule 28 says; “The player may deem his ball unplayable at any place on the course, except when the ball is in a water hazard. The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable.

Under penalty of one stroke you can go back to where you played your last stroke but NOT anywhere in between, as this is not one of the three options under Rule 28, the shortest rule in the Rules of Golf.”

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