Miles Bennett
Free relief in golf is when a golfer can take a penalty-free drop due to an abnormal course condition or an immovable obstruction. An abnormal course condition could be an animal hole, ground under repair, an immovable obstruction, or temporary water. Interference from a cart path could also be considered an abnormal course condition, but only if the path is artificially surfaced. Immovable obstructions are the most misunderstood form of free relief. While most foliage is an intentional obstacle meant to challenge golfers, manmade obstructions like a yardage marker, an electrical box, or a cart path are not. To take free relief, a golfer must find the nearest point to where their ball lies where their swing or stance is no longer impeded and then drop their ball within one club-length of that point, no nearer to the hole.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When free relief can be taken | When there is interference by an abnormal course condition, such as an animal hole, ground under repair, an immovable obstruction, or temporary water. |
| Where to drop the ball | Within one club-length of the nearest point of complete relief, no nearer to the hole. |
| Conditions for free relief from a cart path | The cart path must be artificially surfaced. |
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What You'll Learn
Interference from an abnormal course condition
- The player's ball touches or is in or on an abnormal course condition.
- An abnormal course condition physically interferes with the player's area of intended stance or area of intended swing.
- Only when the ball is on the putting green, an abnormal course condition on or off the putting green intervenes on the line of play.
It is important to note that if the abnormal course condition is close enough to distract the player but does not meet any of the above requirements, there is no interference under this rule. Additionally, free relief is not provided when an abnormal course condition only interferes with the player's line of play.
To take free relief from interference by an abnormal course condition, golfers must follow these steps:
- Find the nearest point of complete relief, which is the spot on the course nearest to where their ball lies, but not nearer the hole, where they could play their next stroke without interference from the condition.
- Drop a ball within one club-length of that point, no nearer to the hole.
- If the ball was in the general area, the nearest point of complete relief must also be in the general area, and the ball must be dropped in that area.
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Immovable obstructions
Rule 16 covers free relief from interference by immovable obstructions, which are a type of abnormal course condition. Under this rule, you can take free relief when your ball touches or lies in or on the obstruction, or when the obstruction interferes with your intended stance or swing.
To take free relief, you must first determine the nearest point of complete relief, which is the spot where the immovable obstruction no longer interferes with your ball or your intended stance or swing. This point must be no closer to the hole than your original position. Once you have found this point, you can drop your ball within one club length of it.
It is important to note that there is no relief when the immovable obstruction is simply in your line of sight or play but does not affect your stance, lie, or swing. Additionally, there is no relief when the obstruction is out of bounds or when your ball is in a penalty area.
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Abnormal ground conditions
Free relief in golf refers to instances where golfers can get assistance without incurring a penalty. There are three main instances where golfers can take free relief: abnormal ground conditions, immovable obstructions, or the wrong putting green.
It is important to note that golfers are not entitled to a perfect stance and lie after taking relief from abnormal ground conditions. Additionally, if the abnormal ground condition only interferes with the golfer's line of play, free relief is not provided. Free relief is also not provided if the golfer's ball is inside the boundary of a penalty area or out of bounds.
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Dangerous animal conditions
Golf may be a relaxing sport, but it can also be dangerous, especially when animals are involved. In such cases, Rule 16 of the Official Rules of Golf comes into play.
A dangerous animal condition exists when a dangerous animal near your ball could cause you serious physical injury if you had to play the ball as it lies. This rule applies to all living members of the animal kingdom except humans. Examples of dangerous animals include alligators, poisonous snakes, and bears. Even insects like fire ants and bees can be considered dangerous animal conditions.
Free Relief from Dangerous Animal Conditions
According to Rule 16, you can take free relief from a dangerous animal condition no matter where your ball is on the course. However, there are two exceptions:
- When playing the ball is "clearly unreasonable" due to something other than the dangerous animal condition. For example, if there's a bear near your ball, but it's buried in a bush, you wouldn't be able to make a stroke, so you can't use the bear as an excuse for a free drop.
- When you intentionally create a stance, swing, or direction of play, or choose a club, that results in interference, but it's "clearly unreasonable under the circumstances".
How to Take Free Relief
To take free relief, follow these steps:
- Find the nearest point to where your ball lies where the dangerous animal condition no longer interferes with your swing or stance.
- Drop your ball within one club-length of that point, no closer to the hole.
- Take your swing and continue your game.
Remember, if you take relief when you're not entitled to, you may incur a penalty, such as two shots or the loss of a hole in match play. So, always assess the situation carefully and make sure you're familiar with the rules of golf and any applicable local rules.
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Temporary water
If your ball ends up in temporary water, you are allowed to take free relief. To do so, you must find the nearest point of complete relief, which is the nearest point where your swing or stance is no longer affected by the water. This point must be in the general area, which includes everywhere that is not a teeing area, penalty area, bunker, or putting green. It must also be no closer to the hole than your original ball's position. Once you have found this point, you can drop your ball within one club-length of it and continue your game.
It is important to note that you cannot take free relief if your ball is out of bounds or in a penalty area. Additionally, if your ball is in a bunker, your point of free relief must also be within the bunker. If there is no point of complete relief within the bunker, you can find the point of maximum available relief, which is the nearest point to the ball's original spot where the water interferes the least with your intended stroke. If you choose to take relief outside the bunker, you will incur a one-stroke penalty.
In some cases, you may decide that it is more advantageous to play the ball as it lies, especially if the nearest point of complete relief is in a bush or very thick rough. Therefore, it is always recommended to scout out your surroundings before picking up your ball to take free relief.
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Frequently asked questions
Free relief in golf is when a golfer can take assistance without being penalised.
Free relief can be taken when there is interference from an abnormal course condition, such as an animal hole, ground under repair, an immovable obstruction, or temporary water.
Immovable obstructions include manmade objects like a yardage marker, an electrical box, or a cart path.
To take free relief, you must find the nearest point to where your ball lies, where your swing or stance is no longer impeded. Then, you can drop your ball within one club length from that point, no closer to the hole.
No, you can only take free relief from a cart path if it is artificially surfaced. Natural paths like grass or sandy paths do not qualify for free relief.
