RULES OF THE WEEK--TEMPORARY WATER & EMBEDDED BALL

 Who knows when we can get back to playing, with all the recent rain and the continuing forecast of more, but when we do, these two rules will undoubtedly come into play. So here are a few reminders of what to do.

TEMPORARY WATER  (formerly known as CASUAL WATER)

Firstly, the definition is important and tells you a lot.

Any temporary accumulation of water on the surface of the ground (such as puddles from rain or irrigation or an overflow from a body of water) that is not in a penalty area, and can be seen before or after you take a stance (without pressing down excessively with your feet).

Rule 16 covers relief from Abnormal Course Conditions which includes Temporary Water, GUR and immovable obstructions.

 Your reference point when dropping is the nearest point that gives you full relief. You must drop within 1 club length of the reference point and the ball must remain in the relief area.

TEMPORARY WATER ON THE GREEN

Take free relief as shown in this diagram. 

TEMPORARY WATER IN A BUNKER

You must drop, in the same bunker, using the nearest point of full relief as your reference point. If it is not possible to take full relief, you must drop using the nearest point of maximum relief still in the bunker.

Alternatively, for a one stroke penalty you may choose to drop outside the bunker using the reference line going from the hole back through where the original ball lay.

Note that at times, when the bunkers are so wet that relief is almost impossible, some or all bunkers will be declared compulsory GUR and you get a free drop out.

Note 1: You cannot lose a ball in Temporary Water (or GUR). This means that if you can’t find the ball but you are virtually certain it is in the temporary water, you may drop another ball, as in the above examples, for no penalty.

 Note 2: You cannot take free relief from Temporary Water in a penalty area. Use the penalty area rules if you need a drop.

Note 3: You cannot take free relief from Temporary Water if it is clearly unreasonable for another reason eg. It is deep in a bush which prevents you from hitting the ball.

Embedded Ball Rule 16.3a

 This rule changed in 2019.

Free relief is now allowed if your ball is embedded in the general area. Your ball is only embedded if it is in its own pitch mark made as a result of your previous stroke and part of your ball is below the level of the ground.

 NOTE 1: Reference Point for your drop is the point right behind where the ball is embedded. The ball must be dropped within a one-club length relief area and must remain within the relief area.

NOTE 2: Relief is not allowed if interference by anything other than your ball being embedded makes your stroke clearly unreasonable (eg when your ball is embedded under a bush that prevents you from making a stroke).  Relief is also not allowed if it is embedded in sand not on the fairway

NOTE 3: If your ball is embedded on the putting green, you may mark your ball, repair the damage and replace your ball on its original spot

 

Let's hope the sun comes out soon and these won't be required for too long.

Jenny