A ball is embedded when it is in its own pitch-mark, created by the previous stroke, with part of the ball below ground level. Free relief is normally available in the general area, except when the ball is embedded in sand in an area not cut to fairway height or less, or when interference makes a stroke clearly unreasonable for another reason.
Mud around a ball or a deep lie is not automatically an embedded ball. The required pitch-mark and below-ground position must be present.
How to identify an embedded ball
- The ball is in the pitch-mark made by the player’s previous stroke.
- Part of the ball is below the level of the ground.
- The ball does not have to be touching soil; grass can lie between it and the ground.
How to take free relief
Mark and lift the ball if needed to check. The reference point is directly behind the embedded ball. Drop the original ball or another ball in a one-club-length relief area, no nearer the hole and in the general area.
When the rule does not help
There is no relief under this rule when the ball is embedded in a bunker or penalty area. In the general area, an exception applies to certain sand that is not cut to fairway height or less. Local rules can also restrict or extend the procedure, so check the scorecard.
The essential point
Confirm that the ball is in its own pitch-mark and below ground level. If the general-area rule applies, drop within one club-length behind the original position without penalty.
Sources
The following official or specialist sources were used to verify this independently written guide.
- The R&A – official guidance Source used to verify the rules or factual information in this guide.
- The R&A – official guidance Source used to verify the rules or factual information in this guide.
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