Nina Caldwell
Golfers are entitled to free relief if their ball lands in a puddle of water that isn't in a penalty area. This is known as casual water or temporary water, and it is not considered a water hazard. If a golfer's ball lands in casual water, they can take relief by dropping the ball within one club length of the nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole. This allows the golfer to find a drier area to play their next shot without incurring a penalty.
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What You'll Learn
- Temporary water is not a water hazard
- Free relief is allowed if temporary water interferes with a golfer's stance or swing
- Temporary water must be visible before or after taking a stance
- Relief options include dropping the ball within one club length of the nearest point of relief
- Casual water can be found anywhere on a golf course outside the water hazard
Temporary water is not a water hazard
Temporary water, formerly known as casual water, is not considered a water hazard in golf. It refers to 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. This accumulation of water is not considered a hazard and golfers are entitled to free relief if their ball lands in it or if it interferes with their stance or swing.
The key distinction is that temporary water is not located in a penalty area. Penalty areas are considered part of the challenge of playing the course, and free relief is typically not allowed. Temporary water, on the other hand, is classified as an abnormal course condition, and relief is usually granted.
To properly take relief from temporary water, golfers must find the nearest point of complete relief, which is a dry area where their stance and swing will not be affected by the water. This point of relief must be no closer to the hole than the original ball position, and golfers are allowed to drop their ball within one club-length of this point.
It is important to note that temporary water does not include areas that are merely wet, muddy, or soft, nor does it include water that is only momentarily visible when stepping on the ground. An accumulation of water must remain present either before or after the player takes their stance. Additionally, dew and frost are not considered temporary water, while snow and natural ice are considered either loose impediments or temporary water at the player's discretion.
In summary, temporary water is not a water hazard in golf and golfers are entitled to free relief if their ball lands in it or if it interferes with their play. By understanding and applying the rules regarding temporary water, golfers can navigate wet course conditions without incurring penalties.
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Free relief is allowed if temporary water interferes with a golfer's stance or swing
Temporary water, or casual water, is a common occurrence on golf courses, especially those with poor drainage systems. It is defined as any temporary accumulation of water on the surface of the ground, such as puddles from rain or irrigation, that is not in a penalty area. It is important to note that the ground being wet, muddy, or soft does not constitute temporary water, and the accumulation of water must be visible before or after a player takes their stance without pressing down excessively with their feet. Dew, frost, and melting snow are also not considered casual water.
If a golfer's ball lands in casual water, they are entitled to free relief under Rule 16 of the Rules of Golf. This rule covers abnormal course conditions, which do not form part of the challenge of playing the course, and allow for free relief. Rule 16.1 provides specific instructions on how to proceed, including diagrams illustrating how to find the nearest point of complete relief.
To take advantage of this rule, golfers must find the nearest point of complete relief, which is a dry area where neither the golfer nor their ball would be standing in water. This point must be in the general area, not closer to the hole than the reference point, and it must provide complete relief from the temporary water. Once this point is established, golfers have a one-club relief area in which to drop their ball.
It is important to note that golfers cannot take relief if they choose a stance or direction of play that is clearly unreasonable to be affected by the water. Additionally, if a golfer's ball is moving in temporary water, they are allowed to let it move to a better spot before determining the nearest point of complete relief, as long as they do not delay the game unreasonably.
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Temporary water must be visible before or after taking a stance
Temporary water, previously known as casual water, is an abnormal course condition. It is a temporary accumulation of water on the golf course, such as puddles from rain or irrigation, or an overflow from a body of water. It is important to note that temporary water does not include water in a penalty area, and it is not considered a water hazard.
If a golfer's ball comes into contact with temporary water, or if the water interferes with their stance or swing, they are entitled to free relief. This means they can drop their ball within one club length of the nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole, allowing them to find a drier area to play their next shot.
To determine if temporary water is affecting a golfer's play, it should be a visible accumulation of water. Puddles, saturated areas, or waterlogged ground are typically considered temporary water. However, it is not enough for the ground to be merely wet, muddy, or soft. An accumulation of water must be visible either before or after a golfer takes their stance. In other words, if a golfer is about to take their stance and water is present, they are allowed to take free relief.
For example, if a golfer presses down on the grass and water rises to the point where it is visible, they may believe their ball is resting in temporary water and they are entitled to relief. However, this is not the case. The water must be visible without pressing down excessively with the feet.
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Relief options include dropping the ball within one club length of the nearest point of relief
Golfers are entitled to free relief from casual water, which is an abnormal course condition. Casual water is water that collects on the course due to rain or irrigation and is not considered a hazard. It is also known as temporary water, a term introduced in the 2019 edition of the rule book.
If a golfer's ball comes to rest in casual water, they can take relief by dropping the ball within one club length of the nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole. This allows the golfer to find a drier area to play their next shot.
To be considered casual water, there must be a visible accumulation of water. Puddles, saturated areas, or waterlogged ground are typically considered casual water. However, the water must remain present either before or after the golfer's stance, and it is not enough for the ground to be merely wet, muddy, or soft.
If a golfer's ball and stance are in casual water in a bunker, they have two options. Firstly, they can drop the ball in the bunker at a point that provides maximum available relief without penalty. Alternatively, they can take a one-stroke penalty and drop the ball outside the bunker, keeping the point where the ball lay directly between the hole and the new position.
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Casual water can be found anywhere on a golf course outside the water hazard
Casual water, also known as temporary water, is water that collects on a golf course outside of a water hazard, or ""penalty area", due to rain or irrigation. It is not considered a hazard, and golfers are entitled to free relief if their ball lands in casual water. This can include waterlogged ground, puddles, or saturated areas, but not areas that are merely wet, muddy, or soft.
If a golfer's ball lands in casual water, they are generally allowed free relief. To take relief, golfers can drop their ball within one club length of the nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole, to find a drier area to play their next shot. If the casual water is in a bunker, the player may drop the ball at a point that provides maximum relief within the bunker without penalty. Alternatively, they can take a one-stroke penalty and drop the ball outside the bunker, keeping the point where the ball lay directly between the hole and the new position.
It is important to note that casual water should be a visible accumulation of water. Course officials may provide guidance on what is considered casual water on a specific course.
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Frequently asked questions
Casual water is water that collects on the golf course due to rain or irrigation but is not considered a hazard. It often appears in bunkers and fairways.
Casual water is a dated term that is now replaced by "temporary water" in the Rules of Golf. Temporary water refers to any temporary accumulation of water on the surface of the ground, such as puddles from rain or irrigation.
If a golfer's ball comes to rest in casual water, they are generally entitled to free relief. The golfer can take relief by dropping the ball within one club length of the nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole.
Rule 16.1 states that you are allowed to let the ball move to a better spot before determining the nearest point of complete relief, as long as you do not delay play unreasonably.
You have two options. You can drop the ball in the bunker at a point that provides maximum available relief (less water than the current position) without penalty. Alternatively, you can take a one-stroke penalty and drop the ball outside the bunker, keeping the point where the ball lay directly between the hole and the new position.
