[Golf Rules... Knowledge Is Power] When You Find a Golf Ball in the Mountains

Seungtaek Lee KPGA Founders Cup Extension Situation
Play Allowed with Ball as It Lies
If Unplayable, Declare Unplayable Ball with 1 Penalty Stroke

Golf has no referees. It is a "gentleman's sport" where golfers play by following the rules themselves. The golf rules are "assistants" created to help with play. If well understood and properly used, they can greatly aid in score management. These are golf rules that weekend golfers must know.

Lee Seung-taek took four tee shots on the first hole of the resumed playoff at the 18th hole on the final day of the KPGA Founders Cup.
[Photo by KPGA]

A tee shot mistake became an obstacle to a first-ever victory. The unlucky protagonist is long hitter Lee Seung-taek. He is a player who debuted on the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour in 2015. His strength lies in his solid lower body and driver shots exceeding 300 yards. He is also nicknamed the "Grizzly Bear."

Lee Seung-taek seized a chance to win at the KPGA Founders Cup (total prize money 700 million won), which concluded on the 21st at Hanmaek Country Club in Yecheon, Gyeongbuk (par 72, 7,265 yards). In the final 4th round, he fired a 7-under-par, tying with Ko Gun-taek. The playoff resumed at the 18th hole (par 5), where Lee Seung-taek, who could easily reach the green in two shots, was expected to have the advantage. However, his tee shot did not cooperate. It curved left and flew into the mountains.

Worried about a lost ball, Lee Seung-taek hit a provisional ball. He was very nervous. Coincidentally, the first, second, and third provisional balls also flew to strange places. Lee Seung-taek diligently searched for his original ball. If he could not find it, he faced the crisis of losing the winner's trophy to Ko Gun-taek.

Fortunately, the tournament official found Lee Seung-taek’s original ball. Although it was impossible to attack the pin, it was possible to play from outside. Without penalty, he continued play from where the ball lay. He barely laid up the ball onto the fairway, then hit his third shot onto the green, but missed a par putt of about 1.5 meters and failed to win.

Even if the original ball is found, if conditions prevent playing it, a player may declare the ball unplayable. After a one-stroke penalty, the player may choose to drop the ball within two club lengths from the original spot. If the drop area is difficult, the player must play from directly behind the ball. If that is also not easy, the player must return to the tee shot location and continue play from there.