What Is the Rule if You Hit a Golf Ball Out of Bounds?

Stepping up to the tee, you make what feels like a great swing, but the ball sails just a bit too far to the right and disappears behind those white stakes. Your stomach sinks. So, what’s the rule if you hit a golf ball out of bounds? This guide will break down exactly what to do. We’ll cover the official stroke and distance rule, explain the much faster local rule option you’ve probably seen friends use, and clarify how to proceed correctly so you can play with confidence and keep your round moving.

What Exactly Is "Out of Bounds"?

Before we get into the procedures, let's be clear on the definition. "Out of bounds" (O.B.) is any area of the golf course that is not part of the competition, as designated by the course committee. It's essentially off the property as far as play is concerned.

You can identify out of bounds by a few key markers:

• White Stakes: This is the most common way to mark O.B. The boundary line is determined by the inside edge of the stakes at ground level.
• White Lines: Some courses paint white lines on the ground. If a line is used, the line itself is considered out of bounds.
• Fences or Walls: Sometimes, a property fence or wall defines the boundary. The course's local rules sheet or scorecard will specify this.

A ball is only considered out of bounds when the entire ball lies beyond the boundary line. If any part of your ball is touching the in-bounds side of the line or is on the course side of the O.B. stakes, your ball is in play! You can even stand out of bounds to hit a ball that is in bounds.

The Official Rule: Stroke and Distance (Rule 18.2)

The formal, default rule for a ball hit out of bounds is known as "stroke and distance." It's simple in principle but can be a bit punishing and time-consuming.

Here’s the deal: when you hit a ball O.B., you get a one-stroke penalty and must play your next shot from the same spot as your previous stroke. That's it. There’s no dropping it near where it went out, you have to go back.

Step-by-Step for Stroke and Distance

Let's use a common example. You're on the tee of a Par 4.

1. Stroke 1: You hit your tee shot, and it slices out of bounds.
2. You now incur a one-stroke penalty.
3. You must return to the teeing area and hit again.
4. Stroke 3: The next shot you hit from the tee box is now your third stroke.

Even though you're hitting from the tee again, you've already counted the first shot plus the one-stroke penalty. Taking "the walk of shame" back to the tee is why playing this rule correctly can really slow a round down, which has led to a popular alternative.

Your Best Friend on the Tee Box: The Provisional Ball

If you have even the slightest thought that your ball might be out of bounds or lost, you should play a provisional ball to save time. A provisional is a "just in case" second ball you play before going forward to search for your original ball.

How to Play a Provisional Ball

The process is incredibly important to get right.

1. Clearly Announce It: Before you hit, you must announce to your playing partners that you are playing a provisional ball. Say something like, "I think that might be out, I'm going to play a provisional." This makes it clear you aren't just putting a new ball into play.
2. Play the Shot: Tee up another ball and hit it from the exact same spot as your original shot.
3. Proceed Down the Hole: Now, you can go forward and look for your an original ball.

What Happens Next?

Once you head down the fairway, there are two potential outcomes:

• You Find Your Original Ball In-Bounds: Great news! Your original ball is the one in play. You must abandon your provisional ball. Simply pick it up, take it out of play, and continue on with your original. There’s no penalty.
• Your Original Ball is Out of Bounds or Lost: If you find your ball O.B. or you cannot find it within the three-minute search time, your provisional ball immediately becomes the ball in play. You already took the stroke-and-distance penalty when you hit it. So, if your original tee shot was O.B. and your provisional found the fairway, you are now lying three, about to hit your fourth shot. You successfully saved yourself a long walk back to the tee.

Playing a provisional is the proper and smartest way to handle a questionable shot under the standard rules of golf. It respects the rules while also respecting everyone’s time.

The Time-Saving Alternative: The Local Rule (Model Local Rule E-5)

Because "stroke and distance" can significantly slow down recreational play, the USGA and R&A introduced a local rule option that courses can adopt to speed things up. Many golfers use a version of this without knowing what it truly is, often with the wrong penalty. So, let’s get it right.

This local rule allows you to drop a ball near where your original went out of bounds, but for a two-stroke penalty.

Note: This is an optional rule. Your course must have implemented it for it to be valid in any official capacity. Check the scorecard or with the starter! For casual rounds among friends, this is almost always the preferred (and accepted) method.

How to Use the Local Rule

Let's use the same tee shot example. You slice your ball out of bounds.

1. Your First Stroke: Your tee shot goes O.B. That's stroke one.
2. Take the Penalty: Under this local rule, you add a two-stroke penalty.
3. Find Your Relief Area and Drop:
   • First, identify the spot where you believe your ball crossed the out-of-bounds line.
   • Next, find the nearest point on the edge of the fairway that is no closer to the hole.
   • From that point on the fairway edge, you can measure two club-lengths into the fairway and drop your ball in that relief area.
4. Play Your Fourth Stroke: You are now hitting your fourth stroke from the fairway. (Your tee shot [1] + two penalty strokes [2, 3] = you're now hitting shot 4).

This is where most golfers make a mistake. They drop a ball, add one stroke, and play on. The official local rule carries a two-stroke penalty. Why? Because it's meant to approximate the outcome of a stroke-and-distance penalty where you hypothetically hit your third shot from the tee to that spot on the fairway.

Reference Guide: Your Out of Bounds Options

Feeling confused? Let's simplify everything into a quick-reference guide.

You hit your tee shot and think it might be out of bounds... what do you do?

Option 1: Stroke and Distance (Official Competition Rule)

• Penalty: 1 Stroke
• Procedure: Go back to the original spot and hit again.
• Example: Tee shot is O.B. (stroke 1). Add a 1-stroke penalty. You are now hitting stroke 3 from the tee again.

Option 2: Play a Provisional Ball (The Smart & Fast Official Way)

• Penalty: 1 Stroke (if original is O.B or lost)
• Procedure: Announce it, hit a second ball from the same spot *before* going forward. If you can't find your first ball or it's O.B., the provisional is in play.
• Example: Tee shot (stroke 1) is O.B. Your provisional (now stroke 3) lands in the fairway. You play on from there, hitting your 4th shot.

Option 3: Use the Local Rule (Pace of Play for Casual Rounds)

• Penalty: 2 Strokes
• Procedure: Find where the ball went out, go to the nearest fairway edge, and drop within two club-lengths. No going back to the tee.
• Example: Tee shot (stroke 1) goes O.B. Add a 2-stroke penalty. Drop on the fairway. You are now about to hit your 4th stroke.

Final Thoughts

Hitting a ball out of bounds is never enjoyable, but knowing your options makes it far less stressful. The key is understanding the difference between the official stroke-and-distance procedure, the strategic use of a provisional ball, and the informal but time-saving local rule. Knowing how to manage the situation correctly keeps your score accurate and your head in the game.

Of course, remembering these situational rules in the heat of the moment can be challenging. With our Caddie AI, you never have to guess again. Just ask what to do when you're in a tricky situation, like an O.B. shot or a weird lie, and you'll get instant, accurate guidance based on the official rules. We give you the confidence of having a rules expert and personal coach right in your pocket, so you can focus on playing better golf.