Golf Course Fencing Rules

It would be impossible for the Rules Of Golf that are maintained by the United States Golf Association (USGA) to establish where the out-of-bounds markers are to be placed in all of the tens of thousands of the country's courses, so that is left up to the rules committees of the individual club. In most cases, out-of-bounds markers will be placed where the course property ends. But there are circumstances where there are out-of-bounds markers inside the property. For example, if oncoming golfers on a contiguous hole were in peril caused by wayward tee shots, the rules committee may order that out-of-bounds stakes be placed between the holes. Also, the rules committee may declare the clubhouse, swimming pool, etc. as out of bounds for obvious reasons.

Regardless of where the out-of-bounds stakes have been placed, the Rules of Golf are explicit. If a golf ball is out of bounds, the player must return to the place from which the ball was struck and hit another. He will incur a penalty of one stroke, plus he will lose the distance of the ball that was out of bounds. When a player suspects that his ball may be out of bounds, he can hit a provisional ball; if he finds that his original ball is inbounds, he will not sustain any penalty for hitting a second ball.

If the ball comes to rest outside of the out-of-bounds markers, the player must return to the place from which it was hit and hit another ball unless he has hit a provisional ball. The out-of-bounds marker can be either a series of stakes or a line on the ground, and they establish the out of bounds vertically. Furthermore, if part of the ball is inbounds, it is considered in play. Finally, if a ball is inbounds, but the player has to hit it with his feet out of bounds, that can be done without penalty.