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Rule 16.1

Temporary water

Also searched as: puddle, standing water, rain water, waterlogged

Until 2019: casual water

A temporary accumulation of water on the surface, such as a puddle after rain, that is outside a penalty area. You get free relief.

Snow and natural ice may be treated either as temporary water or as loose impediments, as you choose.

Temporary water can also be in a bunker. Then you may drop without penalty inside the bunker, or take back-on-the-line relief outside it for one penalty stroke. If the whole bunker is under water, you drop without penalty in the bunker where the water interferes least, the point of maximum available relief.