How Golf Temporary-Water Relief Works Explainer
Temporary water is an abnormal course condition: water visibly pooled on the ground that is not in a penalty area. A player may receive free relief when the ball touches or lies in it, or when the condition interferes with the intended stance or area of swing. Dew and frost are not treated the same way.
In the general area, the player identifies the nearest point where the ball, stance, and swing are completely free of the condition, no nearer the hole. From that reference point, the player drops within one club-length. The ball must come to rest in the defined relief area.
Complete relief matters. A player cannot choose a convenient dry patch if a foot would still stand in the water. The nearest point may be in rough, behind an obstacle, or otherwise unattractive. Free relief removes interference; it does not promise a good lie or a clear path to the target.
Different procedures apply when temporary water is in a bunker or on the putting green. In a bunker, free relief generally stays in that bunker, while penalty relief may offer another option. On a green, the ball is placed rather than dropped at the nearest point of complete relief.
No. It is an abnormal course condition and can allow free relief.
No. The nearest complete-relief point may be less favorable.
No. Green relief is taken by placing the ball at the proper point.
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