What happens if your ball crosses out of bounds then comes back?

The situation

Your ball flies over the white stakes, bounces off a wall or tree beyond the boundary, and rolls back onto the course. Or it lands just over the OB line and rolls back in.

The rule

Under Rule 18.2, a ball is only out of bounds if it comes to rest out of bounds. If the ball crosses the OB line during its flight or bounce and ends up back in bounds, it is in play — no penalty. The white stakes define where the ball finishes, not where it travelled. OB is not like a penalty area, where crossing the line is what matters — it's purely about the final resting position.

Real example

Your drive hits a fence post just beyond the white stakes and bounces back, coming to rest in the rough inside the course. Even though the ball clearly went over the line, it came to rest in bounds — play it as it lies, no penalty.

What to do on the course

• Check where the ball actually stopped, not where it crossed the line
• If the ball is touching the OB line or any part of it is inside the line: in play
• If there's genuine doubt about whether it came to rest in or out, play a provisional before going to look
• If the ball rests against the OB stake itself, it's in play (the inside edge of the stake defines OB)

Penalty

No penalty. Play the ball from where it came to rest in bounds.