Jackson Reid
Golfers may encounter casual water, also known as \temporary water\, on the course due to rainfall or irrigation. This is distinct from water hazards, which are recognised obstacles. If a player's ball lands in casual water, they may take free relief by dropping the ball at the nearest point of complete relief, as long as it is not in a hazard or closer to the hole. This rule also applies to casual water on the putting green. It is important to note that if the ball is in a penalty area, relief is not allowed, and removing the ball will incur a penalty stroke.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official term | Abnormal Course Conditions |
| Other names | Temporary water, casual water |
| Occurrence | Any temporary accumulation of water such as rainfall or irrigation |
| Rules | Rule 16, Rule 16.1, Rule 16.1c, Rule 16.1d |
| Action | Free relief is allowed, the player takes relief by dropping a ball in a relief area |
| Stance | The player cannot stand in the casual water to swing the club |
| Putting green | The ball is placed at the nearest point of complete relief, not on the putting surface |
| Bunker | Relief can be taken outside the bunker but it will cost a penalty shot |
| Hazard | If the hazard is full of water, removing the ball will cost a penalty stroke |
| Ice and snow | Considered casual water |
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What You'll Learn
Temporary water
If a golfer's ball ends up in a temporarily wet spot on the course that isn't a penalty area, they are not expected to hit from there. Instead, they can take free relief under Rule 16 by finding the nearest point of complete relief that is in the general area, isn't closer to the hole, and doesn't interfere with their stance or swing. This point of complete relief can be in a bush or on the green, but it cannot be in a hazard. If the nearest point of complete relief is in a bunker, golfers must use that as the reference point for their drop unless there is no such point, in which case they can find the point of maximum available relief.
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 unreasonably delay play. It's important to note that golfers cannot 'ground their club' when taking relief from casual water, meaning they cannot rest the club on the ground when addressing the ball.
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Abnormal course conditions
Golf courses can experience water accumulation due to rainfall or irrigation issues, resulting in what is known as "casual water" or "temporary water." This phenomenon is classified as an abnormal course condition, distinct from recognised hazards. When casual water is present, golfers are not expected to play from it and can take relief without incurring a penalty.
When a golfer's ball ends up in casual water, they are entitled to free relief. The player must locate the nearest point of complete relief, ensuring it is not closer to the hole and is free from interference by the abnormal course condition. This relief area becomes the reference point for dropping the ball. It is important to remember that the relief area cannot be within another abnormal course condition or hazard.
In the context of casual water, complete relief means finding a position where the temporary water no longer interferes with the player's stance, swing, or putting line. If the ball is in a bunker, the player must identify the nearest point where the water's interference is minimal while staying within the bunker. If the bunker is the source of casual water, and the ball is in the water or the water affects the player's stance, relief can be taken outside the bunker, but this incurs a penalty stroke.
It is worth noting that ice and snow are also considered casual water, whereas dew and frost are not. Additionally, if a golfer's ball is moving within temporary water, they can allow it to move to a better spot before determining the nearest point of complete relief, provided they do not delay the game unreasonably.
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Free relief
Casual water is temporary water that accumulates on the surface of a golf course, usually in low-lying areas, due to rain, irrigation, or an overflow from a body of water. It is considered an abnormal course condition and is not meant to be a part of the challenge of playing the course.
If your golf ball ends up in casual water, you can take free relief by following these steps:
Finding the Nearest Point of Complete Relief
Firstly, you need to find the nearest point of complete relief, which is the point closest to your ball's original spot where the casual water does not interfere with your stroke. This point should not be closer to the hole than your ball's original position.
Dropping the Ball
Once you've identified the nearest point of complete relief, you can take your drop by dropping a ball at that reference point. Remember, you cannot drop the ball directly into casual water or into a hazard. If your ball is in a bunker, you can take relief outside the bunker, but this will cost you a penalty shot.
Stance and Swing
When taking your stance and swing, ensure that you are not standing in casual water, even if your ball is in a dry spot. If casual water is affecting your stance or swing, you are allowed to take relief at the nearest point of complete relief.
Moving Ball in Casual Water
If your ball is moving in casual water, Rule 16.1 allows you to wait for it to move to a better spot before determining the nearest point of complete relief, as long as you do not unreasonably delay play.
Lost Ball in Casual Water
If your ball is lost in casual water, and it is known or virtually certain that it is in there, you can take free relief. Use the estimated point where the ball last crossed the edge of the casual water to find the nearest point of complete relief and take your drop.
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Relief areas
Casual water, also known as "temporary water", is an abnormal course condition. It refers to temporary accumulations of water on the surface of the golf course, such as puddles from rain, irrigation, or an overflow from a body of water. These are not considered ordinary or recognised hazards of the course. If a golfer's ball ends up in casual water, they are generally allowed free relief except in a penalty area.
Golfers can take relief by dropping a ball in a relief area based on the nearest point of complete relief. This is the point nearest to the ball's original spot where the temporary water "least interferes" with the stroke the player would have made if the water was not present. It is important to note that the relief area cannot be closer to the hole and must provide complete relief from the casual water. This means that the golfer's stance and swing cannot still be affected by casual water.
If the casual water is on the putting green, the golfer can place the ball at the nearest point of complete relief on the putting green or in the general area. The ball is not dropped on the putting surface but placed at the chosen point. Additionally, if the casual water is in a bunker, golfers can take relief outside the bunker using the back-on-the-line rule, but this will result in a penalty shot.
In the case of a hazard that is full of water, golfers have the option to remove the ball from the hazard, but this will also incur a penalty stroke. When taking relief, golfers must ensure that they do not ground their club, meaning they cannot rest the club on the ground when addressing the ball.
It is worth noting that ice and snow can be considered casual water, but not dew or frost. Additionally, Rule 16.1 clarifies that golfers are allowed to let the ball move to a better spot before determining the nearest point of complete relief, as long as they do not unreasonably delay play.
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Interference by abnormal course conditions
Golf courses can be affected by abnormal course conditions, such as temporary water, also known as casual water. Temporary water is an accumulation of water on the surface of the ground, such as puddles from rain or irrigation, that is not in a penalty area and can be seen before or after taking a stance.
If a player's ball is in the general area and there is interference by an abnormal course condition, they may take free relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in the relief area, which is based on the nearest point of complete relief. This rule also covers free relief when a player's ball is embedded in its own pitch-mark in the general area.
The Rules of Golf describe it as relief from all interference by the abnormal course condition. To properly take relief, you need to ensure that where you're dropping your ball is not still in casual water or that your stance will still be in casual water.
If a player's ball ends up in a rather large pool of casual water, they can take relief outside the bunker, but this will cost them a penalty shot. The green is the only place where free relief is allowed for temporary water that is in the line of play.
Rule 16.1 clarifies that players are "allowed to let the ball move to a better spot before determining the nearest point of complete relief so long as they do not unreasonably delay play."
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Frequently asked questions
Casual water is temporary water that accumulates on the golf course due to rain, irrigation, or an overflow from a body of water. It is not one of the ordinary and recognized hazards of the course and is considered an "Abnormal Course Condition" in the Rules of Golf.
If your golf ball ends up in casual water, it is not treated as part of the challenge of playing the course, and you are generally allowed free relief. You can take relief by dropping a ball at the nearest point of complete relief, which is not closer to the hole and where the casual water no longer interferes with your play.
A water hazard is a recognized part of the course, such as a pond or river, and is marked by yellow stakes or lines. If your ball enters a water hazard, you must add penalty strokes and play within a certain distance of where the ball entered the hazard. Casual water, on the other hand, is temporary and not a recognized hazard. There is no penalty for casual water, but you must confirm with other matches that it is indeed casual water.
Casual water can be found in low points on the golf course, particularly in bunkers or putting greens. It can also be the result of overflowing water from a water hazard or a puddle formed due to rain or irrigation. Essentially, any temporary accumulation of water that interferes with your play can be considered casual water.
