The player is on the tee box on a par-3 hole....?

Question

...there is no grass in the tee-box area...there is grass more than two club lengths behind the tee markers (and too the side). Can the player request that the tee area be declared as unplayable and ask for relief behind the two club length zone?

Answer 1

Under Rule 11-4 of the USGA: 11-4 Playing from Outside Teeing Ground
a. Match Play
If a player, when starting a hole, plays a ball from outside the teeing ground there is no penalty, but the opponent may immediately require the player to cancel the stroke and play a ball from within the teeing ground.
b. Stroke Play
If a competitor, when starting a hole, plays a ball from outside the teeing ground, he incurs a penalty of two strokes and must then play a ball from within the teeing ground.
If the competitor plays a stroke from the next teeing ground without first correcting his mistake or, in the case of the last hole of the round, leaves the putting green without first declaring his intention to correct his mistake, he is disqualified.
The stroke from outside the teeing ground and any subsequent strokes by the competitor on the hole prior to his correction of the mistake do not count in his score.

Under Rule 11, there is no relief given for the teeing ground having "an irregular surface", but it IS specifically defined as a rectangular area two club-lengths in depth, the front and the sides of which are defined by the outside limits of two tee-markers.

Answer 2

no, by the rules of golf you must tee off in the teeing ground, and up to two club lengths behind the marker.

There are no unplayable lies until after you have hit the ball. You are determining the lie of your ball on the tee box. And besides, even if there were, why would you want to declare an unplayable, take a penalty stroke (and yes there would be a stroke added,) then be hitting 2 off the tee? and lastly, you do not need grass
on a tee box. frankly, its mostly mental. put the ball on a tee, you should be hitting the ball first anyway not the grass.

Answer 3

TartanGolf... is correct. Further, you are permitted to stand outside the tee box, but the ball must be in the confines of the tee box. Remember, most people head for the middle of the tee box, but it is perfectly acceptable to use the sides as well. Since you are permitted to use a tee, the condition of the tee area is not as critical. Here is rule 11-1

When the player’s ball is to be teed within the teeing ground, it must be placed on:
• the surface of the teeing ground , including an irregularity of surface (whether or not created by the player), or
• a tee placed in or on the surface of the teeing ground, or
• sand or other natural substance placed on the surface of the teeing ground.
A player may stand outside the teeing ground to play a ball within it.
In teeing, if a player uses a non-conforming tee or any other object to raise the ball off the ground, he is disqualified.

Answer 4

There should be grass on the tee box. If you are playing on a course with bare tee boxes rules are not a factor.

Answer 5

if your playing on a course that has no grass in the tee box, then it shouldn't really matter where you hit it from.

Answer 6

I'm not the "Rules Guy", but even iron shots should be teed up just barely above ground, so it shouldn't matter there's grass or not.

Answer 7

no because your on a tee

Answer 8

yes he can according to pga rules.

Answer 9

No.