Free relief is allowed only when a Rule identifies the condition and the procedure.

The worldwide Rules baseline, not a tour-specific shortcut

This page applies the R&A/USGA 2023 Rules of Golf, especially Rules 14–17, 19 and the Definitions, together with the Additional Clarifications updated 1 July 2026. The 2023 edition took effect on 1 January 2023. The R&A states that the next Rules edition will be published on 1 January 2028.

The same Rules baseline governs golf internationally, but a Committee can define course conditions and adopt authorised Model Local Rules. Those Local Rules do not apply merely because they exist in the Committee Procedures: they must be adopted for the round. Rule 25 modifications apply to eligible players with specified disabilities in all competitions.

Seven checks before moving the ball

1. Identify the ball's area of the course. General area, bunker, penalty area and putting green can produce different procedures.
2. Name the condition. An abnormal course condition, movable obstruction, embedded ball, dangerous animal condition, penalty area or unplayable lie does not share one relief test.
3. Confirm the Rule applies. Check interference, the clearly-unreasonable exceptions, whether the ball was found, and any Local Rule.
4. Identify the correct reference. It may be the nearest point of complete relief, the spot behind an embedded ball, a penalty-area crossing point, the original ball's spot or the previous-stroke position.
5. Build the permitted area. Apply its one- or two-club-length size and every limit on course area, distance from the hole and complete relief.
6. Use the required method. Drop, place or replace as directed; back-on-the-line relief requires the ball first to touch the line.
7. Check where it stops. A correctly released ball normally must finish inside the relief area before the next stroke.

Abnormal course conditions under Rule 16

Rule 16.1 groups animal holes, ground under repair, immovable obstructions and temporary water as abnormal course conditions. Interference exists when the ball touches or lies in or on the condition, or the condition physically interferes with the intended stance or intended swing. A condition on the line of play counts only when the ball is on the putting green.

Distraction or a blocked line is not enough away from the putting green. Rule 16.1 relief is also unavailable when the condition is out of bounds or the ball is in a penalty area. Model Local Rule F-6 may remove relief for interference only with the intended stance, and Model Local Rule F-5 may add limited line-of-play relief near a putting green, but only if the Committee adopts it.

A no play zone is different: Rule 16.1f makes relief compulsory when the ball lies in a no play zone within an abnormal course condition or when that zone interferes with the intended stance or swing. The area where the ball lies determines the relief procedure.

Nearest point of complete relief is not the best point

The Definitions make this an estimated point, not a choice among attractive lies. For the stroke the player would have made had the condition not existed, it must be the nearest point to the ball's original spot that is not nearer the hole, lies in the required area of the course and removes all interference from that condition. The player identifies the club, stance, swing and line that would have been used; simulating them is recommended but not compulsory.

The point can be in rough, behind a tree or on an inconvenient side of a path. It deals only with the condition being escaped. If another abnormal course condition interferes after the first relief procedure, the player may consider a separate Rule 16 procedure; two conditions cannot be combined into one invented reference point.

One club-length still has several limits

For free relief from an abnormal course condition in the general area, Rule 16.1b creates a one-club-length relief area measured from the nearest point of complete relief. The usable area must remain in the general area, must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and must provide complete relief from the condition.

The Definitions measure a club-length with the longest club other than a putter that the player has during the round. A measured semicircle is not automatically usable in full: portions disappear if they cross into a bunker or penalty area, lie nearer the hole, or leave any of the relevant interference.

Relief on the putting green is placed

When a ball on the putting green has Rule 16.1 interference, the player takes free relief by placing the original or another ball at the nearest point of complete relief, rather than dropping it. That point may be on the putting green or in the general area, but not nearer the hole. If no point gives complete relief, the point of maximum available relief may be used.

This is why “all relief is a drop” is unsafe shorthand. The area where the original ball lies and the Rule being used determine whether the ball is dropped, placed, or replaced.

Free Rule 16 relief normally stays in the bunker

For abnormal-course-condition interference when the ball is in a bunker, Rule 16.1c permits free relief using a nearest point of complete relief and a one-club-length relief area in that bunker. If no point gives complete relief there, the player may use the point of maximum available relief in the bunker.

The alternative is back-on-the-line relief outside the bunker for one penalty stroke, keeping the original ball's spot between the hole and the point where the ball is dropped. This differs from Rule 19.3b's two-stroke outside-bunker option for an unplayable ball.

“Probably in the condition” is not enough

Rule 16.1e applies when a ball has not been found but it is known or virtually certain that it came to rest in or on an abnormal course condition on the course. The player estimates where the ball last crossed the condition's edge, treats that as the ball's spot and takes the area-specific Rule 16 relief. Once another ball is put in play this way, the original must not be played even if found within the three-minute search time.

If the evidence does not meet that standard, the ball is lost and Rule 18.2 requires stroke-and-distance relief. A nearby puddle or drain is not by itself proof that the missing ball is in it.

Rule 16.3 has its own trigger and reference point

Baseline free relief is available when a ball is embedded in the general area: it must be in its own pitch-mark made by the player's previous stroke, with part of the ball below ground level. There is no Rule 16.3 relief when it is embedded in sand in a part of the general area not cut to fairway height or less, or when another no-relief condition makes the stroke clearly unreasonable.

The reference point is the spot in the general area immediately behind the embedded ball, not the nearest point of complete relief. Drop within one club-length, in the general area and no nearer the hole. If the spot immediately behind is not in the general area, Clarification 16.3b/1 uses the nearest spot in the general area that is not nearer the hole as the reference point.

Movable obstructions and dangerous animals are separate rulings

Rule 15.2 normally lets a player remove a movable obstruction anywhere on or off the course. If the ball moves while the obstruction is being removed, there is no penalty and the ball is replaced. If the ball is in or on the object away from the putting green, remove it and drop within one club-length of the estimated point directly below the ball, in the same area of the course and no nearer the hole. On the putting green, place the ball at that estimated spot.

Boundary objects and integral objects do not provide free relief merely because they are artificial. Loose impediments also differ: moving one may cause a penalty if the ball moves away from the putting green or teeing area. A dangerous animal condition is governed by Rule 16.2; unlike ordinary abnormal-course-condition relief, it can allow free relief within a penalty area, but the reference point and relief area must stay in that penalty area.

Mark before lifting to test whether relief exists

Under Rule 16.4, a player who reasonably believes the ball lies in a condition covered by Rule 15.2, 16.1 or 16.3 may lift it to check. The spot must first be marked and the ball must not be cleaned, except on the putting green. If relief is not available or the player chooses not to take it, the ball must be replaced; failing to mark or cleaning when not allowed costs one penalty stroke.

Penalty areas use Rule 17 options

When a ball is in a penalty area—or is not found but is known or virtually certain to be there—the player may play it as it lies or use Rule 17 relief for one penalty stroke. Red and yellow penalty areas both offer stroke and distance and back-on-the-line relief. A red penalty area also offers lateral relief within two club-lengths of the estimated point where the ball last crossed the edge, no nearer the hole and outside that penalty area.

The crossing point is not where the ball splashed, finished or was last seen. For back-on-the-line relief, keep that point between the hole and where the drop first touches the line. Model Local Rule B-2 may authorise opposite-side relief for a red penalty area, but that option does not exist unless adopted.

The player decides under Rule 19

Only the player may decide to use unplayable-ball relief, and it is available anywhere except a penalty area. For one penalty stroke, the options are stroke and distance, back-on-the-line relief, or lateral relief within two club-lengths of the ball's spot. Stroke and distance is available even when the original ball has not been found; the other two options require its spot to be known.

Special bunker restrictions apply when the unplayable ball is in a bunker. Options that stay in the bunker carry one penalty stroke; the additional back-on-the-line option outside the bunker carries a total of two penalty strokes. Rule 17, not Rule 19, governs a ball in a penalty area.

Drop straight down from knee height

Rule 14.3 permits the original ball or another ball. It normally requires the player—not the caddie or another person—to drop straight down from knee height; Rule 25 allows specified eligible players with disabilities to authorise another person. Knee height means the height of the player's knee when in a standing position, although the player need not stand upright while dropping.

The ball must not be thrown, spun, rolled or released with another motion intended to influence where it finishes. Before touching the ground it must not touch the player's body or equipment. For an ordinary relief area, it must first strike the ground inside that area. For back-on-the-line relief under Rules 16, 17 or 19, it must first strike the chosen line; that point then creates a one-club-length relief area subject to the governing Rule's limits.

A correct release is only half the procedure

A ball dropped in the right way must come to rest in the relief area. If it finishes outside, drop correctly a second time. If that ball also finishes outside, Rule 14.3c(2) requires a ball to be placed where the second drop first touched the ground. If it will not stay, place it there a second time and then use the nearest spot where it will stay under Rule 14.2e; that final spot can be outside the relief area.

If a correctly dropped ball accidentally hits the player, equipment or another outside influence after striking the ground, no penalty applies. Play it if it finishes inside the relief area; otherwise use the normal outside-area procedure. Deliberately stopping or deflecting it is governed by Rule 14.3d and normally requires another drop and the general penalty for the responsible player.

A bad release is not the first of two re-drops

A drop by the wrong person, from the wrong height, with a prohibited motion, or initially outside the required area or line must be repeated correctly. There is no limit to these corrections, and a wrong-way drop does not count toward the two correct drops that can lead to placement.

If the player makes a stroke without correcting a wrong-way drop, Rule 14.3b(4) distinguishes the outcomes: playing from inside the relief area costs one penalty stroke; playing from outside it, or playing a ball that was placed when it had to be dropped, brings the general penalty.

Correct the mistake before making a stroke

Rule 14.5 generally allows an error in substituting, replacing, dropping or placing to be corrected without penalty before the ball is played. Depending on the mistake, the player may have to continue with the same Rule and option or may be allowed to choose another applicable option.

After a stroke from a wrong place, the general penalty is loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. In stroke play, a serious breach—one that could give a significant advantage—must be corrected before starting the next hole or, on the final hole, before returning the scorecard; failure to correct leads to disqualification under Rule 14.7b.

Competition notices can change a relief answer

• Model Local Rule F-2: a Committee may restrict embedded-ball relief to fairway-height-or-less areas or exclude specified bunker faces. The 2026 F-2.3 option can extend relief in a live-televised competition when a referee determines the ball is in an unrepaired pitch-mark made by any player's stroke, but only in the defined short-cut part of the general area.
• Model Local Rule F-5: when adopted, limited “2 + 2” line-of-play relief may be available for an immovable obstruction on or within two club-lengths of the putting green and within two club-lengths of the ball. The 2026 wording can also cover specified ground under repair.
• Model Local Rule F-6: a Committee may deny relief when an abnormal course condition interferes only with the intended stance.

These are authorised options, not universal tour rules. Check the Local Rules appointed for the round before applying one.

The cart-path relief point is in deep rough

Situation: a ball lies on an immovable paved path in the general area. The nearest point that clears lie, stance and swing is in rough; a farther fairway spot also clears the path.

R&A/USGA 2023 ruling: Rule 16.1b uses the rough-side nearest point, followed by a one-club-length relief area with all its limits. The decisive fact is distance to the nearest legal point, not quality of lie.

Temporary water fills the bunker

Situation: the ball and every possible stance in a bunker are affected by temporary water, so there is no point of complete relief in that bunker.

R&A/USGA 2023 ruling: Rule 16.1c allows free relief at the point of maximum available relief in the bunker, with the one-club-length area remaining there, or back-on-the-line relief outside for one penalty stroke. “No dry spot” does not create free relief outside the bunker.

Two correct drops roll outside

Situation: the player drops correctly from knee height inside the relief area. The ball rolls outside. A second correct drop also rolls outside.

R&A/USGA 2023 ruling: under Rule 14.3c(2), place a ball where the second drop first touched the ground. Do not take a third drop. The decisive fact is that both releases were correct but both balls finished outside.

The ball is in another player's pitch-mark

Situation: the player's ball is below ground level in an unrepaired pitch-mark known to have been made by another ball.

Baseline 2023 ruling: no Rule 16.3 relief, because the ball is not in its own pitch-mark. Possible 2026 variation: if the Committee adopted Model Local Rule F-2.3 for an eligible live-televised competition, a referee may allow relief when its additional tests are met. The Local Rule and referee determination—not television coverage alone—change the answer.

A sprinkler blocks a chip from off the green

Situation: the ball is in the general area, a fixed sprinkler does not affect lie, stance or swing, but lies on the intended low line toward the putting green.

Baseline 2023 ruling: Rule 16.1 gives no relief for line-of-play interference when the ball is off the putting green. If Model Local Rule F-5 is adopted: relief may exist if the obstruction and ball satisfy its “2 + 2” distances and other limits. The course's Local Rules are decisive.

Six shortcuts that produce wrong rulings

• “Nearest relief means nearest good lie.” It is the nearest point satisfying the defined legal tests.
• “A cart path always gives relief.” The interference and clearly-unreasonable tests still apply.
• “One club-length can cross any boundary.” The governing Rule limits the permitted areas of the course.
• “Every relief procedure is a drop.” Putting-green and movable-obstruction situations can require placement or replacement.
• “A ball touching the player after it bounces must be re-dropped.” An accidental touch after ground contact does not by itself invalidate the drop.
• “A Model Local Rule is automatically in force.” It applies only when the Committee adopts it for that round.

Governing-body sources and effective version

• The R&A/USGA — Rules of Golf, 2023 edition, Rules 14–19 and Definitions
• The R&A/USGA — Rule 14: dropping, correcting mistakes and playing from a wrong place
• The R&A/USGA — Rule 15.2: movable obstructions
• The R&A/USGA — Rule 16: abnormal course conditions, dangerous animals and embedded balls
• The R&A/USGA — Rule 17: penalty-area relief
• The R&A/USGA — Rule 19: unplayable-ball relief
• The R&A/USGA — Rule 25: modifications for players with disabilities
• The R&A/USGA — Definitions: club-length, drop, nearest point of complete relief and relief area
• The R&A/USGA — Committee Procedures, Section 8: Model Local Rules B-2, F-2, F-5 and F-6
• The R&A/USGA — Additional Clarifications of the 2023 Rules of Golf, updated 1 July 2026; Rule 14 clarification and Model Local Rules F-2/F-5
• The R&A — New and Updated Model Local Rules for 2026, effective when adopted from 1 January 2026

Checked against the jointly governed 2023 Rules of Golf and the Additional Clarifications current on 1 July 2026. This page states the international baseline; the Committee's Local Rules, Terms of the Competition and course markings can define or modify the relief available for a particular round.