October 2020
Rule 16: Relief from Abnormal Course Conditions (Including Immovable Obstructions)
Abnormal Course Conditions include Ground Under Repair, Temporary Water and Animal Holes as well as Immovable Obstructions (man-made objects that CANNOT be easily moved without causing damage and delaying play). The player is allowed a free drop within one club length of the nearest point of complete relief not nearer the hole. As long as it is known or virtually certain that the ball in in an Abnormal Course Condition or an Immovable Obstruction (95% sure) free relief is available as shown below.
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| Ground Under Repair | Temporary Water | Animal Hole |
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Example showing the Nearest Point of Complete Relief (NPCR) from a road for a Right Handed Player. The NPCR must be no nearer the hole. Use a Ball Marker or Tee to indicate the NPCR – the Reference Point – and drop within the Relief Area within one club length of the Reference Point, no nearer the Hole, without penalty. A left-handed player’s NPCR may be different from the right handed player, as it would be here; it depends on the size of the Abnormal Course Condition.
There is not Relief when it is clearly unreasonable to play the ball because of something else or by choosing an unreasonable stance, swing or direction of play. If a player has interference by a No-Play Zone in an Abnormal Course Condition relief MUST be taken, otherwise it is optional.
