
When is a ball embedded?
- A ball is embedded when it’s in its own pitch mark.
- This must however happen in the General Area. This includes all areas on the golf course except for the teeing area of the hole being played, all bunkers, all Penalty ...
- The pitch mark must be the result of the stroke that the player has just made.
What is the embedded ball rule in golf?
Jan 30, 2021 · A ball is considered embedded if it sits in its own pitch mark made as a result of the player’s previous stroke and part of the ball is below the …
Where can a ball be embedded in the sand in golf?
Mar 15, 2022 · This is simple on the face of it but there’s always one who argues. Rule 16.3a (2) says a ball is only embedded if: – It’s in its own pitch-mark and that was made as a result of that player’s last stroke and…. – Part of the ball is below the level of the ground. That below the level of the ground bit is important.
Where can you take relief from an embedded golf ball?
Dec 02, 2020 · Embedded Ball. This should be easy – Rule 16.3 allows you to take relief whenever your ball lies in its own pitchmark in the general area. “Embedded” means that part of the ball is below the level of the ground (so not if is just “sitting down” in a grassy lie. The reference point is immediately behind the embedded ball and the relief area is within one club length, not nearer …
Can you fix an embedded golf ball on the Green?
Mar 26, 2022 · In the game of golf, if there is a plugged lie, it is known as an embedded ball. Although not all bunker zones or penalty areas accept bunkers and penalty areas, there is now relief without penalty. Under the pre-2019 rules, such a situation only existed if you were near a closely mown field or fairway. What Type Of Structure Is A Golf Ball?

How do I know if my golf ball is embedded?
A ball is not considered embedded if it is embedded in grass, leaves or other loose impediments. In order to be considered embedded, the ball's pitch-mark must be below the level of the ground. Closely mown area, refers to the fairway areas, not roughs.
Can you move an embedded golf ball?
According to the rules of golf, not much. “Relief is allowed only when your ball is embedded in the general area,” Rule 16.3 states. “But if your ball is embedded on the putting green, you may mark the spot of your ball, lift and clean it, repair the damage, and replace your ball on its original spot.”Jan 31, 2021
Do you have to find an embedded ball?
Embedded Ball A. If you can't find your ball within three minutes, it is lost. Because it is lost, you must return to the spot of your previous stroke and play another ball for one penalty stroke (see Rule 18.2b).
Can you have an embedded ball in the rough?
That Local Rule is adopted for all USGA championships and is extremely common throughout the United States. When the Local Rule is in effect, players get relief for an embedded ball even if it's in the rough. The New Rule: In the new Rules of Golf, the wording of the rule, or “default,” has essentially been flipped.Dec 22, 2018
Can you clean embedded ball?
The Rule states, “A ball embedded in its own pitch-mark in the ground in any closely mown area through the green may be lifted, cleaned and dropped, without penalty, as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole.”
Do you get relief from embedded ball?
Under the embedded ball rule, which is Rule 16.3 of the Rules of Golf, golfers are entitled to free relief from a situation in which their ball becomes embedded in the general area (also known as "through the green"), which includes everywhere on the course that's not teeing ground, putting surfaces, bunkers and ...Jan 30, 2021
Can a golf ball be embedded in a bunker?
Within the rules of golf a plugged lie is known as an embedded ball. The good news is that unless you are in a bunker or penalty area, you do now get relief without penalty. Under the pre-2019 rules, this was only the case if you were on the fairway or other closely mown areas.6 days ago
Can you clean your ball in the fairway?
A golfer cannot clean their ball in any other situation, including when the ball is in the fairway, when the ball is in the rough, when the ball is in a bunker.Sep 9, 2021
Can you move your golf ball out of a divot?
No, you cannot move a golf ball out of a divot hole even when that divot is in the fairway - at least, not without penalty. (You can declare the ball unplayable, assess yourself a one-stroke penalty, and drop.)Mar 22, 2019
When you ball is embedded in a bunker you are allowed a free lift?
Anything that isn't the teeing area a player starts a hole from, a penalty area, the green of the hole that's being played or a bunker is classed as part of the general area. And thanks to Rule 16.3, free relief is generally allowed when a player's ball is embedded in the general area.Oct 9, 2020
Do you get relief from a tree stump?
Is there relief from a tree stump under the rules? Decision 25/8 says that unless the stump is marked as ground under repair, or is in the process of being removed there is no relief. A tree stump is nothing more than a short tree, according to the USGA.
What is penalty area golf?
Purpose of Rule: Rule 17 is a specific Rule for penalty areas, which are bodies of water or other areas defined by the Committee where a ball is often lost or unable to be played. For one penalty stroke, you may use specific relief options to play a ball from outside the penalty area.
When is a ball NOT embedded?
It can happen that a player drives his or her ball straight into the ground without it becoming air born! The ball, even in its precarious positon below the surface, can not be treated as embedded.
Exceptions to the Free Relief for Embedded Ball rule
It is important to know that even if the ball lies in a General are, there are exceptions where free relief is not allowed. Let me explain:
The committee also has a say in all of this
The club committee may, by adopting a Local Rule, disallow relief for a player whose ball is embedded in parts of the General Area that are not cut to fairway height or less! So make sure, as always, to check your local rule.
What was the embedded ball controversy regarding Mcilroy and Reed (and were they at fault) ?
Patrick Reed’s ball bounced before it came to rest (this was shown on TV). This would mean that his ball was not imbedded as I described above and that he would not be allowed relief. Reed was not penalized: As he approached his ball in rough, Reed asked a volunteer if the ball had bounced. The helper informed him that the ball had not bounced.
Where does the ball drop in relief?
In taking relief, the player drops the original ball or a substituted ball within one club-length of (but not nearer the hole than) the spot right behind where the ball was embedded. This is an appropriate exception to the principle of playing the ball as it lies because having to play a ball that is stuck in soft or wet ground ...
What are the new golf rules?
New Rule: The previous default position in the Rules is reversed: Rule 16.3 allows relief for a ball embedded anywhere in the “general area” (that is, the area previously known as “through the green”), except when embedded in sand.
Is it appropriate to play the ball as it lies?
This is an appropriate exception to the principle of playing the ball as it lies because having to play a ball that is stuck in soft or wet ground (whether in the fairway or the rough) should not be considered part of the normal challenge of playing a course.
What does "general area" mean in golf?
Basically, it means all areas on the course that is not considered a teeing area or hazard. The old term we used was “through the green”. Source: 2019 Rules of Golf.
What is the new golf rule for 2019?
This rule is often misunderstood and as a result, the golf governing bodies have decided tried to simplify the Rule 16.3 for all levels of players. I understand the reasoning for the change, but do not necessarily agree that it meets their intent.
Is there a penalty for free drop in golf?
Source: 2019 Rules of Golf. Under the new rule 16.3, I would be allowed a free drop, as indicated in the infographic above, with no penalty. A free drop outside side a hazard is always a great thing for any golfer. Under the new rules, the relief has changed and is limiting.

When Is A Ball Embedded?
- A ball is embedded when it’s in its own pitch mark.
- This must however happen in the General Area. This includes all areas on the golf course except for the teeing area of the hole being played, all bunkers, all Penalty Areas and the green about to p...
- The pitch mark must be the result of the stroke that the player has just made.
When Is A Ball Not Embedded?
- It can happen that a player drives his or her ball straight into the ground without it becoming air born! The ball, even in its precarious positon below the surface, can not be treated as embedded.
Exceptions to The Free Relief For Embedded Ball Rule
- It is important to know that even if the ball lies in a General are, there are exceptions where free relief is not allowed. Let me explain: 1. A ball can easily become embedded in sand. This is a horrible lie, one which we would all be happy to receive relief for! Unfortunately there is no relief if the sand is NOT in the part of the general area that is mown to fairway height or less than fairwa…
The Committee Also Has A Say in All of This
- The club committee may, by adopting a Local Rule, disallow relief for a player whose ball is embedded in parts of the General Area that are not cut to fairway height or less! So make sure, as always, to check your local rule.