Final answer:
In golf, the player themselves acts as the judge to declare their ball unplayable under Rule 19. They have options that include taking a one-stroke penalty and dropping the ball within certain boundaries or returning to the spot of the previous shot to continue play.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the game of golf, the player is the judge of whether their ball is unplayable. According to the Rules of Golf, which are governed by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the R&A, a player may declare their ball unplayable at any time under Rule 19. The player has several options to continue play after deeming the ball unplayable, which typically involve taking a one-stroke penalty.
For instance, the player can take a drop within two club-lengths of where the ball lies, but not nearer to the hole. Alternatively, they can drop a ball behind the point where the ball lay, keeping that point directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far back the ball may be dropped.
Another option is to return to the spot of the previous shot and play from there. It is crucial that the player adheres to these options and the proper procedure to avoid additional penalties.