If you’ve hit the ball out of bounds or you have not found it within the three-minute search period (and it is not known or virtually certain to be in another condition), there is only one option: stroke and distance.

The term stroke and distance, means that you return to the spot you last played from, play another ball from there and get one penalty stroke.

It is important to note that proceeding under stroke and distance is ALWAYS an option. If your ball is in a penalty area, if your ball is unplayable, if your ball is perfectly playable – you can proceed under stroke and distance. You might not always want to, but it might turn out to be your best option. However, when your ball is out of bounds or hasn’t been found, stroke and distance becomes the ONLY option.

If you don’t remember how to proceed under stroke and distance, get a refresher from the Stroke-and-Distance Relief topic on your left.