All of the ball must be outside.
Under the standard Rule, add one penalty stroke and play the original ball or another ball from where the previous stroke was made.
Your three-step decision
- 1
Find the boundary edge
Use the stakes, line or other boundary definition set by the Committee.
- 2
Check the whole ball
The ball is out only when all of it is outside. If any part is in bounds, touches the edge or is above it, the ball is in bounds.
- 3
Use stroke and distance
Add one penalty stroke and play from the place where the previous stroke was made.
Check the Local Rules
Alternative adopted?
Model Local Rule E-5 may allow two-stroke relief using ball and fairway reference points, but only when the Committee has adopted it.
When E-5 is unavailable
It cannot be used for a ball known or virtually certain to be in a penalty area, or for the original ball after a provisional ball has been played.
Try the situation
When is a ball at rest out of bounds?
Check the official wording
The current written Rules and adopted course Local Rules remain authoritative.