Relief from abnormal ground conditions, dangerous animal conditions and immovable obstructions. Rule 16

Last week we looked at relief in the general area, this week we look at the putting green, bunkers and dangerous animal conditions. First a recap.

In golf where we find our ball touches or is on an abnormal ground condition, an immovable obstruction or near a dangerous animal we have the option of taking free relief (Rule 16) unless of course your ball and the condition or immovable obstruction is in a penalty area, in this instance your only form of relief is under penalty unless it is a dangerous animal condition. We are also entitled to free relief if our swing or stance is affected by that abnormal ground condition or immovable obstruction. Free relief is not available if the abnormal ground condition or immovable obstruction is in your line of play unless a local rule allows it or your ball is on the putting green.

Abnormal ground conditions include situations such as GUR, temporary (casual) water, dangerous animal condition, animal holes, and ball embedded in own pitch mark in the general area for example. Immovable Obstructions include pathways, bins, signage, sprinkler heads, drainage grills, penalty area stakes (local rule), bunker matting, green plastic matting near pathways etc. Your nearest point of relief will differ depending on whether you are left-handed or right-handed.

In the case of abnormal ground conditions your option is free relief or play it as it lies. You cannot improve your line of play by sweeping water away or repairing an abnormal ground condition in any area of the course. Penalty 2 shots – stroke play, loss of hole Matchplay.

So, you and your marker agree you can elect to take free relief, what now? Firstly, you need to consider what area of the course your ball lies on. This week we will cover these situations as they occur on the putting green and in bunkers.

Putting Green (The putting green for the hole you are playing)

Relief on the putting green is generally an option due to temporary water and differs from other areas of the course in several aspects. Firstly, you can take free relief if either your ball, stance or swing is impeded but also if the abnormal course condition lies in the line of your putt. Secondly, in determining your nearest point of relief not nearer the hole the “general area” is included. So, if the nearest point of complete relief, not nearer the hole is on the fringe you go there and place your ball. Thirdly, once you have established your nearest point of complete relief, the ball is placed on that spot, not dropped. Finally in instances where a green has significant temporary water on it, and it is not possible to get complete relief you must identify the nearest point, not nearer the hole of maximum available relief.

Bunker (any bunker within the course boundaries)

Free relief in a bunker from an abnormal ground condition or immovable obstruction must be taken in the bunker unless the whole bunker is identified as GUR. In most cases we are talking about temporary (casual) water or exposed bunker matting. As with putting greens if complete relief is not available it is the nearest point of maximum relief. Once the reference point (nearest point of complete or maximum relief, not nearer the hole) is established you have a relief area within 1 club length, not nearer the hole within which the ball must be dropped and remain. You have an additional option under penalty of one shot to take “back along the line” relief outside the bunker. The line is from the pin through where your ball originally lay, back as far as you like, outside of the bunker. Once again, you don’t have to take relief, so consider your options before deciding.

In instances where all of the bunker is identified as GUR your reference point is the nearest point outside of the bunker, not nearer the hole.

Dangerous Animal Conditions (Rule 16.2b)

Free relief is available with the same options as provided depending on where your ball lies in a bunker, on the putting green or in the general area. However, where the ball lies in a penalty area, in addition to penalty relief, free relief can be taken within the same penalty area. Remember, nearest point of complete relief not most convenient or advantageous. Your ball or your stance does not need to be touching the dangerous animal, a judgement needs to be made that the animal is dangerous and the distance from the animal is not sufficient to be safe.

1. What if I can’t find my ball in an abnormal course condition.
2. Where it is known or virtually certain that the ball has come to rest in an abnormal ground condition and you cannot find it, you can take free relief using the point where it last crossed the edge of the abnormal course condition to establish your reference point. Your reference point must be in the same area of the course as where the ball is known to or virtually certain to have come to rest. If it is not known, or virtually certain that the ball has come to rest in the abnormal course condition the ball is lost, and the player must proceed under stroke and distance penalty relief. In the case of a ball embedded in its own pitch mark the ball must always be located to get free relief, even if it is known, or virtually certain the ball is embedded. If you can’t find a ball that is known to or virtually certain to be embedded in its own pitch mark, it is a lost ball, stroke and distance penalty apply.

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