RULE 25. ABNORMAL GROUND CONDITIONS, EMBEDDED BALL AND WRONG
PUTTING GREEN
25-1. Abnormal Ground Conditions
Relief (See Definition of “Abnormal Ground Conditions”)
Ball comes to rest in an abnormal ground condition through the green or interference exists for
stance or area of intended swing.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Casual water,
Ground under repair,
Hole, cast or runway made by burrowing animal, reptile or bird, or an
Area defined by a white line.
Player may play ball, unless relief is mandatory, or take relief without penalty.
Determine nearest point of relief and drop the ball within one club-length, not nearer the hole on
the same part of the course.
Ball comes to rest in an abnormal ground condition in a bunker.
Relief procedure is the same as through the green except:
1. Ball must be dropped in the bunker.
2. If complete relief is not available ball is to be dropped at the point of maximum available
relief, not nearer the hole.
3. Under a penalty of one stroke the ball may be dropped outside the bunker on the "flagline" using ball position as reference.
Exception: No relief if some other condition prevents a stroke or direction of play is abnormal.
Ball in Abnormal Ground Condition Not Found
Must be known or virtually certain; for purposes of taking relief, ball is deemed to lie at the spot
where the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the condition.
No relief without penalty if the ball lies in a water hazard. Rule 26-1 applies.
25-2. Embedded Ball
Relief available in closely mown areas through the green from a pitch-mark made by a player’s ball
(including a ball that is embedded as a result of a drop).
Lift, clean and drop the ball as near as possible to spot, not nearer hole.
Rule 20-6 and Rule 20-2c apply.
A Local Rule in Appendix I-A-3a provides for relief through the green, but not in sand unless in a
closely mown area. Also, no relief if a stroke is not reasonable for some other reason.
25-3. Wrong Putting Green
Relief is for lie of ball only. Player must take relief; lift and drop within one club-length of nearest
point of relief, not nearer hole. Ball may be cleaned.
Breach of Rule 25: General Penalty.
Robin Farran and Dennis Walsh
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