Full Answer
What is the nearest 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 .
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:
What does nearest point of complete relief mean?
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. What does that mean? Well, your nearest point of relief might be behind a big tree.
What is the size of relief area in golf?
Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: One club-length Club-Length: The length of the longest club of the 14 (or fewer) clubs the player has during the round (as allowed by Rule 4.1b (1)), other than a putter. (... Continued), but with these limits: Limits on Location of Relief Area :
What is the nearest point of relief in golf?
The nearest point of relief is the spot the shortest distance away from where your ball lies that is not closer to the hole and where if your ball was there, you could make a stroke at it without any interference from the thing you are taking relief from.
When did the golf rules change?
Greens-books makeover The other main change coming to the PGA Tour starting Jan. 1, 2022, is another local rule: greens-reading books are getting a makeover. Under the new local rule the PGA Tour will implement, players and caddies will be required to use committee-approved yardage books.
What is nearest point of complete relief?
Your nearest point of relief will be the spot on the golf course nearest to where your ball lies is that is not nearer to the hole and that gives you complete relief from the cart path. To determine that spot, you should use the club that you would have used if the cart path was not there.
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.
Who invented the Rules of Golf?
First drafted in 1744 by the Gentlemen Golfers of Leith, later known as The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. The Gentlemen Golfers of Leith established the rules, known as the Thirteen Articles, for the first Challenge for the Silver Club tournament played at Leith Links in Edinburgh, Scotland.
When were golf rules invented?
1744The first known Rules of Golf were drawn up in 1744 in Edinburgh for the world's first 'open' golf competition at Leith by the Gentlemen Golfers of Edinburgh, who would go on to become The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers.
What if nearest point of relief is unplayable?
A player must drop within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, on whichever side of the path that is – even if it would mean dropping into an unplayable lie in a hedge or bush. If that were the case most golfers would elect to play the ball from off the path.
Can your nearest point of relief be on the green?
When a ball is on the putting green and there is interference by an abnormal course condition, free relief may be taken by placing a ball on the spot of the nearest point of complete relief. The nearest point of complete relief must be either on the putting green or in the general area.
Can you ever drop closer to the hole?
Make sure you don't drop the ball closer to the hole! Don't forget that you have to drop at the nearest point of relief, even if it is a bad lie or in a shrub. That being said, you can always opt to hit off the path if you think it's a better lie.
Can nearest point of relief be in a bunker?
You may take relief without penalty under Rule 16.1b, except that the nearest point of complete relief and the relief area must be in the bunker.
Can nearest point of relief be in a bush?
Well, your nearest point of relief might be behind a big tree. Or in the middle of a bush. Those are the breaks.
Do you get relief from an animal hole?
Do you get free relief or is there a penalty? Rule 25-1c states that "it must be known or virtually certain that the ball is in" the burrowing animal hole. If you are not sure, you must treat it as a lost ball and proceed under Rule 27-1.
What is the nearest point of relief?
The first thing to understand about ‘nearest point of relief’ is that there are a variety of conditions and scenarios where the term comes into play – one important thing to remember is that since the 2019 rules revisions the correct terminology is nearest point of complete relief (more about that later). Some Rules, e.g. immovable obstructions, abnormal course conditions, require you to drop within one club-length of the nearest point of relief with no penalty. Other Rules, e.g. unplayable ball, simply require you to drop a ball within a certain number of club-lengths under penalty.
What are some misconceptions about nearest point of relief?
Common misconceptions about nearest point of relief are that you are entitled to a good lie and have some choice as to where it is. But neither is the case…
What are the rules for dropping a ball?
Some Rules, e.g. immovable obstructions, abnormal course conditions, require you to drop within one club- length of the nearest point of relief with no penalty. Other Rules, e.g. unplayable ball , simply require you to drop a ball within a certain number of club-lengths under penalty . Once you have determined your nearest point ...
Is there only one nearest point of complete relief?
There is only ever one nearest point of complete relief, and sometimes it may be less appealing than where your ball is currently lying. But you don’t get any choice as to where the nearest point of relief is, and sometimes in such circumstances you may be better off playing the ball as it lies (e.g.
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 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.
When playing the ball as it lies would be clearly unreasonable?
When playing the ball as it lies would be clearly unreasonable because of something other than an abnormal course condition Abnormal Course Condition : Any of these four defined conditions: (such as when a player is standing in 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) or on an immovable obstruction Immovable Obstruction: Any obstruction that: (...Continued) but would be unable to make a stroke Stroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. (...Continued) because of where the ball lies in a bush), or
When the ball is in a no play zone, what is the definition of "no play zone"?
If the player’s ball is in 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.
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.