XI. Definitions
Advice
Advice/1 – Verbal Comments or Actions That Are Advice
Examples of when comments or actions are considered adviceAdvice: Any verbal comment or action (such as showing what club was just used to make a stroke)
that is intended to influence a player in:(...Continued) and are not allowed include:
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A player makes a statement regarding club selection that was intended to be overheard
by another player who has a similar strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued).
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In individual stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides
in the competition.(...Continued), Player A, who has just holed outHoled: When a ball is at rest in the hole after a stroke and the entire ball is below the
surface of the putting green.(...Continued) on the 7th hole, demonstrates to Player B, whose ball was just off the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued), how to make the next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued). Because Player B has not completed the hole, Player A gets the penalty on the 7th
hole. But, if both Player A and Player B had completed the 7th hole, Player A gets
the penalty on the 8th hole.
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A player’s ball is lying badly and the player is deliberating what action to take.
Another player comments, “You have no shot at all. If I were you, I would decide to
take unplayable ball relief.” This comment is adviceAdvice: Any verbal comment or action (such as showing what club was just used to make a stroke)
that is intended to influence a player in:(...Continued) because it could have influenced the player in deciding how to play during a hole.
Advice/2 – Verbal Comments or Actions That Are Not Advice
Examples of comments or actions that are not adviceAdvice: Any verbal comment or action (such as showing what club was just used to make a stroke)
that is intended to influence a player in:(...Continued) include:
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During play of the 6th hole, a player asks another player what club they used on the
4th hole that is a par-3 of similar length.
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A player makes a second strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) that lands on the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued). Another player does likewise. The first player then asks the second player what
club was used for the second strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued).
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After making a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued), a player says, “I should have used a 5-iron” to another player in the group who has
yet to play onto the greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued), but not intending to influence their play.
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A player looks into another player’s bag to determine which club they used for the
last strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) without touching or moving anything.
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While lining up a putt, a player mistakenly seeks adviceAdvice: Any verbal comment or action (such as showing what club was just used to make a stroke)
that is intended to influence a player in:(...Continued) from another player’s caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued), believing that caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued) to be the player’s caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued). The player immediately realizes the mistake and tells the other caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued) not to answer.
Boundary Object
Boundary Object/1 – Status of Attachments to Boundary Object
Objects that are attached to a boundary objectBoundary Object: Artificial objects defining or showing out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes
and railings, from which free relief is not allowed.(...Continued), but are excluded under the definition of boundary objectBoundary Object: Artificial objects defining or showing out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes
and railings, from which free relief is not allowed.(...Continued), are obstructionsObstruction: Any artificial object except for integral objects and boundary objects.(...Continued) and a player may be allowed free relief from them.
If the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. does not wish to provide free relief from an obstructionObstruction: Any artificial object except for integral objects and boundary objects.(...Continued) attached to a boundary objectBoundary Object: Artificial objects defining or showing out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes
and railings, from which free relief is not allowed.(...Continued), it may introduce a Local Rule providing that the obstructionObstruction: Any artificial object except for integral objects and boundary objects.(...Continued) is an integral objectIntegral Object: An artificial object defined by the Committee as part of the challenge of playing
the course from which free relief is not allowed.(...Continued), in which case it loses its status as an obstructionObstruction: Any artificial object except for integral objects and boundary objects.(...Continued) and free relief is not allowed.
For example, if angled supports are so close to a boundary fence that leaving the
supports as obstructionsObstruction: Any artificial object except for integral objects and boundary objects.(...Continued) would essentially give players free relief from the boundary objectBoundary Object: Artificial objects defining or showing out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes
and railings, from which free relief is not allowed.(...Continued), the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. may choose to define the supports to be integral objectsIntegral Object: An artificial object defined by the Committee as part of the challenge of playing
the course from which free relief is not allowed.(...Continued).
Club-Length
Committee
Course
Ground Under Repair
Holed
Immovable Obstruction
Known or Virtually Certain
Known or Virtually Certain/1 – Applying “Known or Virtually Certain” Standard When
Ball Moves
When it is not “known” what caused the ball to moveMoved: When a ball at rest has left its original spot and come to rest on any other spot,
and this can be seen by the naked eye (whether or not anyone actually sees it do so).(...Continued), all reasonably available information must be considered and the evidence must be
evaluated to determine if it is “virtually certain” that the player, opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in
match play. or outside influenceOutside Influence: Any of these people or things that can affect what happens to a player’s ball or equipment
or to the course: caused the ball to moveMoved: When a ball at rest has left its original spot and come to rest on any other spot,
and this can be seen by the naked eye (whether or not anyone actually sees it do so).(...Continued).
Depending on the circumstances, reasonably available information may include, but
is not limited to:
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The effect of any actions taken near the ball (such as movement of loose impedimentsLoose Impediment: Any unattached natural object such as:(...Continued), practice swings, grounding club and taking a stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke.(...Continued)),
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Time elapsed between such actions and the movement of the ball,
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The lieLie: The spot on which a ball is at rest and any growing or attached natural object, immovable
obstruction, integral object, or boundary object touching the ball or right next to
it.(...Continued) of the ball before it movedMoved: When a ball at rest has left its original spot and come to rest on any other spot,
and this can be seen by the naked eye (whether or not anyone actually sees it do so).(...Continued) (such as on a fairway, perched on longer grass, on a surface imperfection or on the
putting green),
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The conditions of the ground near the ball (such as the degree of slope or presence
of surface irregularities, etc), and
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Wind speed and direction, rain and other weather conditions.
Known or Virtually Certain/2 – Virtual Certainty Is Irrelevant if It Comes to Light
After Three-Minute Search Expires
When searching for a ball under a Rule that uses the knowledge or virtual certaintyKnown or Virtually Certain: The standard for deciding what happened to a player’s ball – for example, whether
the ball came to rest in a penalty area, whether it moved or what caused it to move.(...Continued) standard (such as Rule 17.1d), determining whether there is knowledge or virtual certaintyKnown or Virtually Certain: The standard for deciding what happened to a player’s ball – for example, whether
the ball came to rest in a penalty area, whether it moved or what caused it to move.(...Continued) must be based on evidence known to the player at the time the three-minute search
time expires.
Examples of when the player’s later findings are irrelevant include when:
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A player’s tee shot comes to rest in an area containing heavy rough and a large animal holeAnimal Hole: Any hole dug in the ground by an animal, except for holes dug by animals that are
also defined as loose impediments (such as worms or insects).(...Continued). After a three-minute search, it is determined that it is not known or virtually certainKnown or Virtually Certain: The standard for deciding what happened to a player’s ball – for example, whether
the ball came to rest in a penalty area, whether it moved or what caused it to move.(...Continued) that the ball is in the animal holeAnimal Hole: Any hole dug in the ground by an animal, except for holes dug by animals that are
also defined as loose impediments (such as worms or insects).(...Continued). As the player returns to the teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole they are playing.(...Continued), the ball is found in the animal holeAnimal Hole: Any hole dug in the ground by an animal, except for holes dug by animals that are
also defined as loose impediments (such as worms or insects).(...Continued).
Even though the player has not yet put another ball in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the
play of a hole:(...Continued), the player must take stroke-and-distanceStroke and Distance: The procedure and penalty when a player takes relief under Rules 17, 18 or 19 by playing
a ball from where the previous stroke was made (see Rule 14.6).(...Continued) relief for a lostLost: The status of a ball that is not found in three minutes after the player or their caddie
(or the player’s partner or partner’scaddie) begins to search for it. A ball does
not become lost as a result of the player declaring it to be lost.(...Continued) ball (Rule 18.2b – What to Do When Ball is Lost or Out of Bounds) since it was not known or virtually certainKnown or Virtually Certain: The standard for deciding what happened to a player’s ball – for example, whether
the ball came to rest in a penalty area, whether it moved or what caused it to move.(...Continued) that the ball was in the animal holeAnimal Hole: Any hole dug in the ground by an animal, except for holes dug by animals that are
also defined as loose impediments (such as worms or insects).(...Continued), when the search time expired.
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A player cannot find their ball and believes it may have been picked up by a spectator
(outside influenceOutside Influence: Any of these people or things that can affect what happens to a player’s ball or equipment
or to the course:), but there is not enough evidence to be virtually certainKnown or Virtually Certain: The standard for deciding what happened to a player’s ball – for example, whether
the ball came to rest in a penalty area, whether it moved or what caused it to move.(...Continued) of this. A short time after the three-minute search time expires, a spectator is
found to have the player’s ball.
The player must take stroke-and-distanceStroke and Distance: The procedure and penalty when a player takes relief under Rules 17, 18 or 19 by playing
a ball from where the previous stroke was made (see Rule 14.6).(...Continued) relief for a lostLost: The status of a ball that is not found in three minutes after the player or their caddie
(or the player’s partner or partner’scaddie) begins to search for it. A ball does
not become lost as a result of the player declaring it to be lost.(...Continued) ball (Rule 18.2b) since the movement by the outside influenceOutside Influence: Any of these people or things that can affect what happens to a player’s ball or equipment
or to the course: only became known after the search time expired.
Known or Virtually Certain/3 – Player Unaware Ball Played by Another Player
It must be known or virtually certainKnown or Virtually Certain: The standard for deciding what happened to a player’s ball – for example, whether
the ball came to rest in a penalty area, whether it moved or what caused it to move.(...Continued) that a player’s ball has been played by another player as a wrong ballWrong Ball: Any ball other than the player’s:(...Continued) to treat it as being movedMoved: When a ball at rest has left its original spot and come to rest on any other spot,
and this can be seen by the naked eye (whether or not anyone actually sees it do so).(...Continued).
For example, in stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides
in the competition.(...Continued), Player A and Player B hit their tee shots into the same general location. Player
A finds a ball and plays it. Player B goes forward to look for their ball and cannot
find it. After three minutes, Player B starts back to the tee to play another ball.
On the way, Player B finds Player A’s ball and knows then that Player A has played
their ball in error.
Player A gets the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. for playing a wrong ballWrong Ball: Any ball other than the player’s:(...Continued) and must then play their own ball (Rule 6.3c). Player A’s ball was not lostLost: The status of a ball that is not found in three minutes after the player or their caddie
(or the player’s partner or partner’scaddie) begins to search for it. A ball does
not become lost as a result of the player declaring it to be lost.(...Continued) even though both players searched for more than three minutes because Player A did
not start searching for their ball; the searching was for Player B’s ball. Regarding
Player B’s ball, Player B’s original ball was lost and they must put another ball
in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the
play of a hole:(...Continued) under penalty of stroke and distanceStroke and Distance: The procedure and penalty when a player takes relief under Rules 17, 18 or 19 by playing
a ball from where the previous stroke was made (see Rule 14.6).(...Continued) (Rule 18.2b), because it was not known or virtually certainKnown or Virtually Certain: The standard for deciding what happened to a player’s ball – for example, whether
the ball came to rest in a penalty area, whether it moved or what caused it to move.(...Continued) when the three-minute search time expired that the ball had been played by another
player.
Loose Impediment
Lost
Moved
Moved/2 – Television Evidence Shows Ball at Rest Changed Position but by Amount Not
Reasonably Discernible to Naked Eye
When determining whether or not a ball at rest has movedMoved: When a ball at rest has left its original spot and come to rest on any other spot,
and this can be seen by the naked eye (whether or not anyone actually sees it do so).(...Continued), a player must make that judgment based on all the information reasonably available
to them at the time, so that they can determine whether the ball must be replacedReplace: To place a ball by setting it down by hand and letting it go, with the intent for
it to be in play.(...Continued) under the Rules. When the player’s ball has left its original position and come to
rest in another place by an amount that was not reasonably discernible to the naked
eye at the time, a player’s determination that the ball has not movedMoved: When a ball at rest has left its original spot and come to rest on any other spot,
and this can be seen by the naked eye (whether or not anyone actually sees it do so).(...Continued) is conclusive, even if that determination is later shown to be incorrect through
the use of sophisticated technology.
On the other hand, if the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. determines, based on all of the evidence it has available, that the ball changed
its position by an amount that was reasonably discernible to the naked eye at the
time, the ball will be determined to have movedMoved: When a ball at rest has left its original spot and come to rest on any other spot,
and this can be seen by the naked eye (whether or not anyone actually sees it do so).(...Continued) even though no-one actually saw it moveMoved: When a ball at rest has left its original spot and come to rest on any other spot,
and this can be seen by the naked eye (whether or not anyone actually sees it do so).(...Continued).
Nearest Point of Complete Relief
Nearest Point of Complete Relief/1 – Diagrams Illustrating Nearest Point of Complete
Relief
In the diagrams, the term “nearest point of complete relief” in Rule 16.1 (Abnormal Course Conditions) for relief from interference by an immovable obstructionImmovable Obstruction: Any obstruction that:(...Continued) is illustrated in the case of a right-handed player.
The nearest point of complete reliefNearest Point of Complete Relief: The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition (Rule
16.1), dangerous animal condition (Rule 16.2), wrong green (Rule 13.1f) or no play
zone (Rules 16.1f and 17.1e), or in taking relief under certain Local Rules.(...Continued) must be strictly interpreted. A player is not allowed to choose on which side of
the immovable obstructionImmovable Obstruction: Any obstruction that:(...Continued) the ball will be droppedDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent
for the ball to be in play.(...Continued), unless there are two equidistant nearest points of complete reliefNearest Point of Complete Relief: The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition (Rule
16.1), dangerous animal condition (Rule 16.2), wrong green (Rule 13.1f) or no play
zone (Rules 16.1f and 17.1e), or in taking relief under certain Local Rules.(...Continued). Even if one side of the immovable obstructionImmovable Obstruction: Any obstruction that:(...Continued) is fairway and the other is bushes, if the nearest point of complete reliefNearest Point of Complete Relief: The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition (Rule
16.1), dangerous animal condition (Rule 16.2), wrong green (Rule 13.1f) or no play
zone (Rules 16.1f and 17.1e), or in taking relief under certain Local Rules.(...Continued) is in the bushes, then that is the player’s nearest point of complete reliefNearest Point of Complete Relief: The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition (Rule
16.1), dangerous animal condition (Rule 16.2), wrong green (Rule 13.1f) or no play
zone (Rules 16.1f and 17.1e), or in taking relief under certain Local Rules.(...Continued).
Nearest Point of Complete Relief/2 – Player Does Not Follow Recommended Procedure
in Determining Nearest Point of Complete Relief
Although there is a recommended procedure for determining the nearest point of complete reliefNearest Point of Complete Relief: The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition (Rule
16.1), dangerous animal condition (Rule 16.2), wrong green (Rule 13.1f) or no play
zone (Rules 16.1f and 17.1e), or in taking relief under certain Local Rules.(...Continued), the Rules do not require a player to determine this point when taking relief under
a relevant Rule (such as when taking relief from an abnormal course conditionAbnormal Course Condition: Any of these four defined conditions: under Rule 16.1b (Relief for Ball in General Area)). If a player does not determine a nearest point of complete reliefNearest Point of Complete Relief: The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition (Rule
16.1), dangerous animal condition (Rule 16.2), wrong green (Rule 13.1f) or no play
zone (Rules 16.1f and 17.1e), or in taking relief under certain Local Rules.(...Continued) accurately or identifies an incorrect nearest point of complete relief, the player
only gets a penalty if this results in them droppingDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent
for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) a ball into a relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the
exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3),
each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and
location are based on these three factors:(...Continued) that does not satisfy the requirements of the Rule and the ball is then played.
Nearest Point of Complete Relief/3 – Whether Player Has Taken Relief Incorrectly If
Condition Still Interferes for Stroke with Club Not Used to Determine Nearest Point
of Complete Relief
When a player is taking relief from an abnormal course conditionAbnormal Course Condition: Any of these four defined conditions:, they are taking relief only for interference that they had with the club, stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke.(...Continued), swing and line of playLine of Play: The line where the player intends their ball to go after a stroke, including the area
on that line that is a reasonable distance up above the ground and on either side
of that line.(...Continued) that would have been used to play the ball from that spot. After the player has taken
relief and there is no longer interference for the strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) the player would have made, any further interference is a new situation.
For example, the player’s ball lies in heavy rough in the general areaGeneral Area: The area of the course that covers all of the courseexcept for the other four defined
areas: (1) the teeing area the player must play from in starting the hole they are playing,
(2) all penalty areas, (3) all bunkers, and (4) the putting green of the hole the
player is playing.(...Continued) approximately 230 yards from the greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued). The player selects a wedge to make the next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) and finds that their stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke.(...Continued) touches a line defining an area of ground under repairGround Under Repair: Any part of the course the Committee defines to be ground under repair (whether by
marking it or otherwise). Any defined ground under repair includes both:(...Continued). The player determines the nearest point of complete reliefNearest Point of Complete Relief: The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition (Rule
16.1), dangerous animal condition (Rule 16.2), wrong green (Rule 13.1f) or no play
zone (Rules 16.1f and 17.1e), or in taking relief under certain Local Rules.(...Continued) and dropsDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent
for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) a ball in the prescribed relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the
exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3),
each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and
location are based on these three factors:(...Continued) according to Rule 14.3b(3) (Ball Must Be Dropped in Relief Area) and Rule 16.1 (Relief from Abnormal Course Conditions).
The ball rolls into a good lieLie: The spot on which a ball is at rest and any growing or attached natural object, immovable
obstruction, integral object, or boundary object touching the ball or right next to
it.(...Continued) within the relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the
exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3),
each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and
location are based on these three factors:(...Continued) from where the player believes that the next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) could be played with a 3-wood. If the player used a wedge for the next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) there would be no interference from the ground under repairGround Under Repair: Any part of the course the Committee defines to be ground under repair (whether by
marking it or otherwise). Any defined ground under repair includes both:(...Continued). However, using the 3-wood, the player again touches the line defining the ground under repairGround Under Repair: Any part of the course the Committee defines to be ground under repair (whether by
marking it or otherwise). Any defined ground under repair includes both:(...Continued) with their foot. This is a new situation and the player may play the ball as it lies
or take relief for the new situation.
Nearest Point of Complete Relief/4 – Player Determines Nearest Point of Complete Relief
but Is Physically Unable to Make Intended Stroke
The purpose of determining the nearest point of complete reliefNearest Point of Complete Relief: The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition (Rule
16.1), dangerous animal condition (Rule 16.2), wrong green (Rule 13.1f) or no play
zone (Rules 16.1f and 17.1e), or in taking relief under certain Local Rules.(...Continued) is to find a reference point in a location that is as near as possible to where the
interfering condition no longer interferes. In determining the nearest point of complete reliefNearest Point of Complete Relief: The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition (Rule
16.1), dangerous animal condition (Rule 16.2), wrong green (Rule 13.1f) or no play
zone (Rules 16.1f and 17.1e), or in taking relief under certain Local Rules.(...Continued), the player is not guaranteed a good or playable lieLie: The spot on which a ball is at rest and any growing or attached natural object, immovable
obstruction, integral object, or boundary object touching the ball or right next to
it.(...Continued).
For example, if a player is unable to make a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) from what appears to be the required relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the
exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3),
each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and
location are based on these three factors:(...Continued) as measured from the nearest point of complete reliefNearest Point of Complete Relief: The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition (Rule
16.1), dangerous animal condition (Rule 16.2), wrong green (Rule 13.1f) or no play
zone (Rules 16.1f and 17.1e), or in taking relief under certain Local Rules.(...Continued) because either the direction of play is blocked by a tree, or the player is unable
to take the backswing for the intended strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) due to a bush, this does not change the fact that the identified point is the nearest point of complete reliefNearest Point of Complete Relief: The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition (Rule
16.1), dangerous animal condition (Rule 16.2), wrong green (Rule 13.1f) or no play
zone (Rules 16.1f and 17.1e), or in taking relief under certain Local Rules.(...Continued).
After the ball is in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the
play of a hole:(...Continued), the player must then decide what type of strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) they will make. This strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued), which includes the choice of club, may be different than the one that would have
been made from the ball’s original spot had the condition not been there.
If it is not physically possible to dropDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent
for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) the ball in any part of the identified relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the
exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3),
each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and
location are based on these three factors:(...Continued), the player is not allowed relief from the condition.
Nearest Point of Complete Relief/5 – Player Physically Unable to Determine Nearest
Point of Complete Relief
If a player is physically unable to determine their nearest point of complete reliefNearest Point of Complete Relief: The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition (Rule
16.1), dangerous animal condition (Rule 16.2), wrong green (Rule 13.1f) or no play
zone (Rules 16.1f and 17.1e), or in taking relief under certain Local Rules.(...Continued), it must be estimated, and the relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the
exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3),
each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and
location are based on these three factors:(...Continued) is then based on the estimated point.
For example, in taking relief under Rule 16.1, a player is physically unable to determine the nearest point of complete reliefNearest Point of Complete Relief: The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition (Rule
16.1), dangerous animal condition (Rule 16.2), wrong green (Rule 13.1f) or no play
zone (Rules 16.1f and 17.1e), or in taking relief under certain Local Rules.(...Continued) because that point is within the trunk of a tree or a boundary fence prevents the
player from adopting the required stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke.(...Continued).
The player must estimate the nearest point of complete reliefNearest Point of Complete Relief: The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition (Rule
16.1), dangerous animal condition (Rule 16.2), wrong green (Rule 13.1f) or no play
zone (Rules 16.1f and 17.1e), or in taking relief under certain Local Rules.(...Continued) and drop a ball in the identified relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the
exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3),
each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and
location are based on these three factors:(...Continued).
If it is not physically possible to dropDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent
for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) the ball in the identified relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the
exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3),
each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and
location are based on these three factors:(...Continued), the player is not allowed relief under Rule 16.1.
No Play Zone
Relief Area
Relief Area/1 – Determining Whether Ball Is in Relief Area
Generally, a ball has come to rest in a relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the
exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3),
each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and
location are based on these three factors:(...Continued) if any part of the ball is within the one or two club-lengthClub-Length: The length of the longest club of the 14 (or fewer) clubs the player has during the
round (as allowed by Rule 4.1b(1)), other than a putter.(...Continued) measurement.
But when taking relief under a Rule that has a reference point (such as when taking
relief from an immovable obstructionImmovable Obstruction: Any obstruction that:(...Continued)), a ball is not in the relief area Relief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the
exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3),
each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and
location are based on these three factors:(...Continued) if any part of the ball is nearer the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) than the reference point.
When taking back-on-the-line relief or if a dropping zone is being used as a relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the
exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3),
each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and
location are based on these three factors:(...Continued), as there is no reference point, the ball is in the relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the
exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3),
each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and
location are based on these three factors:(...Continued) when any part of the ball touches or overhangs the relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the
exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3),
each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and
location are based on these three factors:(...Continued). This is true even if part of the ball is nearer the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) than the front edge of the relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the
exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3),
each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and
location are based on these three factors:(...Continued). (New)
Stroke
Wrong Ball