If your ball comes to rest in one of the following circumstances, and one of these situations inteferes with your lie, stance or area of intended swing, you may take relief without penalty:
- Intereference from an immovable obstruction: Any obstruction that can't be moved, such as a cart path or maintenance road.
- Abnormal ground condition: For example, temporary water, areas marked ground under repair, gopher holes.
- Wrong putting green: Oops - you're playing the 2nd hole, but somehow your ball wound up on the 17th green! ...
When is relief allowed on a golf course?
). (2) Relief Allowed Anywhere on Course Except When Ball Is in Penalty Area. Relief from interference by an abnormal course condition Abnormal Course Condition: Any of these four defined conditions: is allowed under Rule 16.1 only when both:
Can you use any ball when taking relief in golf?
The Rule says: “This means that a player may use any ball each time he or she drops or places a ball under this rule.” This was one of the big changes to the rules in 2019 and was designed to clear up what the R&A and USGA had felt was a confusing smorgasbord where you had to use the original ball when taking some forms of relief but not others.
When must the player take free relief or penalty relief?
The player must take free relief under Rule 16.1b . No Play Zone in Bunker. The player must take free relief or penalty relief under Rule 16.1c (1) or (2) . No Play Zone on Putting Green. The player must take free relief under Rule 16.1d . (2) When No Play Zone Interferes with Stance or Swing for Ball Anywhere on Course Except Penalty Area.
When do you get free relief on a swing?
In the other circumstances, however, interference with your lie or your stance or your area of intended swing entitles you to free relief, which starts with finding that nearest point of relief.
What is the relief rule in golf?
Purpose of Rule: Rule 16 covers when and how the player may take free relief by playing a ball from a different place, such as when there is interference by an abnormal course condition or a dangerous animal condition.
Can you take relief from rough to fairway?
You also could go from the rough to the fairway if you follow these same guidelines. It doesn't always work in your favour, but don't assume if your ball is in the rough, you have to drop in the rough. Golfers are entitled to a club-length relief from a sprinkler head or other abnormal conditions.
Can you take relief from a tree in golf?
When a player's ball lies above the ground (such as in a bush or a tree), the player may take lateral relief by using the point on the ground directly below the spot of the ball as his or her reference point: The relief area.
When can you take an unplayable lie in golf?
In summary, if you find your ball in a position where you cannot make a swing, or choose to take relief, you have the option to claim an unplayable lie. The penalty for doing so is one stroke.
Do you get relief from tree roots in golf?
Is there any free relief, or is it just play it as it lies? Answer: The Rules of Golf stipulate that this is play it as it lies, similar to a ball being up a tree, or on top of a rock. If you don't wish to play it as it lies, then you can take an unplayable, which will cost you a one stroke penalty. .
Do you get a free drop if your ball is plugged?
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.
Can you take relief from a fence in golf?
Fairways and Rough (General Area) You do not get free relief from objects that define or mark the course boundary. You may not move objects marking course boundaries or take free relief from them like you would from other artificial objects, like a cart path, a building, or a stake marking a penalty area.
Do you get relief from a flower bed in golf?
There are actually quite a few instances in golf where you are entitled to relief without penalty. Generally, this includes areas that are sensitive such as new grass, young trees, flowers, or otherwise, or areas under repair on the golf course.
Do you get relief from an electrical box in golf?
Your ball lies next to a sprinkler head, an electric box, a 150-yard post or another man-made object typically found on a golf course. What do you do? These objects are considered obstructions (Rule 24), and you're entitled to relief without penalty if your ball, stance or swing is interfered with by an obstruction.
How many club lengths do you need for an unplayable lie?
two club lengthsUnplayable ball If you declare your ball unplayable, you then have three options. First, you can go back to where you last played from under penalty of stroke and distance. The second option is to drop within two club lengths of where your ball is lying but no nearer the hole, again under penalty of one stroke.
How many relief options are available for an unplayable ball?
three relief optionsWhen you decide that your ball is unplayable, you have three relief options, all for one penalty stroke. Your first option is to go back to the spot of your previous stroke and play again (stroke and distance relief).
What is Rule 5.3 A in golf?
March 9, 2021. Rule 5.3a states: The player must start at (and not before) his or her starting time: This means that the players must be ready to play at the starting time and starting point set by the Committee.
What is stroke and distance relief?
Stroke-and-distance relief: Either play the original ball or another ball from a relief area based on where the previous stroke was made. 2. Back-on-the-line relief: Drop the original, or another, ball in a relief area that is based on a reference line “going straight back from the hole through the estimated point where ...
What to do if an alligator eyeing you up?
Well, that’s different. If an alligator is eyeing you up, take free relief in the penalty area (at the nearest point of complete relief from the offending beast) or penalty relief outside it. And for those situations where there’s a no play zone in a penalty area, where you’ve tried to play it as it lies only to stick it into a penalty area again, ...
Can you play the ball as it lies?
You can play it as it lies. The 2019 Rules revisions brought a change here so you can play the ball exactly as you would if it was in the general area. That means you can ground your club. 2. Play a ball from outside the penalty area by taking penalty relief.
Can you take relief in a penalty area?
You can only take relief in a penalty area under these options contained in Rule 17. So no trying to claim an abnormal course condition is interfering with your ball, or it’s embedded or unplayable.
What are the two key requirements of the new relief procedure?
The two key requirements of the new relief procedure (which are first dropping your ball from any height and second ensuring that it is dropped in and comes to rest in the relief area) would eliminate the need to know the seven specific scenarios under the current Rules that require a re-drop.
Where do you drop your golf ball in the fairway?
This means that you could drop your ball in the fairway from just above the grass, from shoulder-height, or from any other height. If you are taking a drop in longer grass, you will be required to drop from higher off the ground to avoid touching the grass when you let go of your ball.
Where to place a golf ball if it won't stay at rest?
And, just like today, if your ball won’t stay at rest where you try to place it, you would then find the nearest spot where it will stay at rest, no closer to the hole, even if outside the relief area .
Is shoulder height dropping a golf swing?
Most golfers today are very familiar with the current arm’s-length, shoulder- height dropping method. There is no dispute that this is a simple and easy-to-follow process. However, there are numerous other complexities that are part of the current relief procedure that the proposed procedure seeks to simplify.
Who is Craig Winter?
Craig Winter is the director of Rules of Golf & Amateur Status for the USGA. Email him at [email protected]. Jamie Wallace is the manager of Rules education and digital content. Email him at [email protected].
What happens when a golf ball comes to rest?
If your ball comes to rest in one of the following circumstances, and one of these situations inteferes with your lie, stance or area of intended swing, you may take relief without penalty: Intereference from an immovable obstruction: Any obstruction that can't be moved, such as a cart path or maintenance road.
What is the closest point of relief in golf?
The "nearest point of relief" in golf is a spot on a golf course closest to the golfer's ball but no closer to the hole from which the golfer can take a free drop (without penalty) when that golf ball is sitting in one of several specific circumstances that are mostly covered in Rule 16 . On this page we'll outline those circumstances, ...
What is the closest point of complete relief?
Important: The "relief" in "nearest point of complete relief" is relief from the original condition interfering with your shot. It is NOT relief from interference or issues caused by any other condition.
Can you play the ball off the cart path?
You have the option to play the ball as it lies, except for a wrong putting green (and, typically, GUR). If your nearest point of relief is in a terrible spot, then you can choose to (sticking with our example) play the ball off the cart path rather than take the free relief.
Can you lift your golf ball after you use the NPR?
So remember: Only lift your ball after you've decided to use the NPR.
When did the nearest point of relief change?
First, note that in the edition of the rule book that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2019, the term "nearest point of relief" was replaced by "nearest point of complete relief.". That is the term now in use in the Rules of Golf.
Can you take relief if your putting green is wrong?
Note that you must take relief if your ball is on a wrong putting green, and that "interference to a player’s stance or the area of his intended swing is not, of itself, interference" by a wrong putting green. In the other circumstances, however, interference with your lie or your stance or your area of intended swing entitles you to free relief, ...
What is free relief?
This Rule covers free relief that is allowed from interference by animal holes Animal Hole: Any hole dug in the ground by an animal, except for holes dug by animals that are also defined as loose impediments (such as worms or insects). (...Continued), ground under repair Ground Under Repair: Any part of the course the Committee defines to be ground under repair (whether by marking it or otherwise). Any defined ground under repair includes both: (...Continued), immovable obstructions Immovable Obstruction: Any obstruction that: (...Continued) or temporary water Temporary Water: Any temporary accumulation of water on the surface of the ground (such as puddles from rain or irrigation or an overflow from a body of water) that: (...Continued) :
What is an unplayable ball relief?
Take unplayable ball relief under Rule 19 . For what to do when there is interference by a no play zone No Play Zone: A part of the course where the Committee has prohibited play. A no play zone must be defined as part of either an abnormal course condition or a penalty area. (...
What happens if a ball is not found?
(...Continued) that the ball came to rest in or on an abnormal course condition Abnormal Course Condition: Any of these four defined conditions: on the course Course: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: (...Continued), the player may use this relief option instead of taking stroke-and-distance Stroke and Distance: The procedure and penalty when a player takes relief under Rules 17, 18 or 19 by playing a ball from where the previous stroke was made (see Rule 14.6). (...Continued) relief:
What is the penalty for playing the wrong ball?
(... Continued) in Breach of Rule 16.1: General Penalty General Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play.
What is a no play zone on putting green?
The player must take free relief under Rule 16.1d . (2) When No Play Zone Interferes with Stance or Swing for Ball Anywhere on Course Except Penalty Area. If a player’s ball is outside a no play zone No Play Zone: A part of the course where the Committee has prohibited play.
Can you take relief under 16.1b?
The player may take free relief under Rule 16.1b, except that: The nearest point of complete relief Abnormal Course Condition: Any of these four defined conditions: and the relief area Relief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule.
When Is Your Ball in A Penalty area?
What If I Just Think The Ball Is in there?
- Not good enough. You need to know, or be virtually certain, that the ball came to rest in a penalty area. If it did, you then have the option to take penalty relief. If you don’t know you must take stroke-and-distance relief instead. Known or virtually certain means there is either conclusive evidence it happened – so you or other witnesses saw it – or even though there’s a very small de…
It Is in there. What Now?
- Congratulations, your ball is at rest or lost in a penalty area. What to do? You have two choices: 1. You can play it as it lies. The 2019 Rules revisions brought a change here so you can play the ball exactly as you would if it was in the general area. That means you can ground your club. 2. Play a ball from outside the penalty area by taking penalty relief.
I’ll Take Relief, Please…
- I don’t blame you – seems silly getting wet to advance it no more than 10 yards and ruin your clobber. What happens now depends on whether it’s a yellow or red penalty area. You’ll normally be able to tell the colour either from the posts that mark the area, or a painted line. If there’s neither post nor paint, it’s classed as red. Let’s start with yellow. For one penalty stroke, you can …
Anything else?
- You can only take relief in a penalty area under these options contained in Rule 17. So no trying to claim an abnormal course condition is interfering with your ball, or it’s embedded or unplayable. Dangerous animals? Well, that’s different. If an alligator is eyeing you up, take free relief in the penalty area (at the nearest point of complete rel...
All Clear?
- So next time you’ve dunked one in the H2O, don’t just drop willy-nilly wherever you feel like. Follow the procedures in Rule 17 and you won’t enrage your playing partners or pick up a nasty surprise on your scorecard.