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Rule 16.1

Abnormal course condition

Also searched as: free relief, free drop, relief without penalty

Until 2019: abnormal ground condition

The umbrella term for four conditions that give free relief: animal hole, ground under repair, immovable obstruction and temporary water.

Interference means the condition touches your ball or affects your stance or swing. On the putting green it also counts if it is on your line of play. If it only interferes because you choose an unreasonable stroke, there is no relief.

If you do not find your ball but it is known or virtually certain that it is in such a condition, you still get free relief. You then measure from where the ball last crossed the edge of the condition.

Until 2018 the umbrella term was ‘abnormal ground condition’, and immovable obstructions had a rule of their own.

Step by step

  1. 1In the general area. One club-length from the nearest point of complete relief, in the general area.
  2. 2In a bunker. Free relief inside the bunker, or back-on-the-line relief outside the bunker for one penalty stroke.
  3. 3On the putting green. Place the ball at the nearest point of complete relief, which may be off the green.
  4. 4In a penalty area. No relief.