Free relief is commonly available from an abnormal course condition such as an animal hole, ground under repair, an immovable obstruction or temporary water when it interferes with the lie, intended stance or intended swing. It is not available merely for an awkward lie, and exceptions apply when the ball is in a penalty area or the stroke is clearly unreasonable for another reason.
Every free-relief rule has its own reference point and relief area. Establish which rule applies before lifting the ball.
Common free-relief situations
- Cart path or other immovable obstruction.
- Ground under repair marked or defined by the committee.
- Temporary water visible before or after taking a normal stance.
- Animal hole, cast or runway covered by the definition.
- An embedded ball in the general area when Rule 16.3 applies.
The last case is explained in What is an embedded ball?.
Nearest point of complete relief
For many abnormal-course-condition cases, find the nearest point that gives complete relief for the intended stroke, is in the correct area of the course and is no nearer the hole. It is the nearest point, not the nicest point. Measure the relief area from there and drop correctly.
When free relief is not available
There is no free relief when playing the ball as it lies is clearly unreasonable because of something other than the condition, or when an obviously unreasonable stance or direction of play creates the interference. In a penalty area, Rule 16.1 does not give free relief from an abnormal course condition.
The essential point
Free relief comes from a specific rule, not from an unfavourable outcome. Identify the condition, confirm an exception does not apply and use the correct reference point and relief area.
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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