Astute followers of this scintillating new series will have noticed that we only covered part of Rule 25, (Abnormal Ground Conditions) last month – Definitions, Interference and Relief. In this month’s edition we will cover the other parts of the Rule, Ball Lost in Abnormal Ground Conditions, Embedded Ball and Wrong Putting Green.

Ball Lost in Abnormal Ground Conditions – Rule 25-1c

It is a question of fact whether a ball is lost after having been struck towards Abnormal Ground Conditions, and is lost in such a condition. There must be reasonable evidence to this or the player must proceed under the Lost Ball rule, Rule 27-1.

If the ball is lost in the Abnormal Ground Condition then relief is obtained without penalty in the following way:-

1) Through the Green

If the ball last entered the Abnormal Ground Condition Through the Green, the player may substitute another ball without penalty and take relief as follows:-

The player locates the point at which the ball last crossed the margin of the Abnormal Ground Condition and then locates the Nearest Point of Relief as clarified last month. The ball is then dropped as before.

2) In a Bunker

If a ball last entered the Abnormal Ground Condition in a bunker then relief is taken as before BUT relief must be taken in the bunker to obtain relief without penalty.

However, another option would be to drop outside the bunker but with a one stroke penalty. In this instance, the player may drop a ball behind the bunker keeping the point where the ball lay

between the hole and the spot where the ball is finally dropped, with no limit to how far behind the bunker the player may drop.

3) On the putting green

If the ball last entered the Abnormal Ground Condition at a spot on the putting green then the player may substitute another ball without penalty in the same way as before except that the ball must be placed, not dropped.

4) In a Water Hazard

If a ball last enters the margin of an Abnormal Ground Condition within a water hazard then NO relief is available under this rule. The player must proceed under the Water Hazards rule, Rule 26.

Embedded Ball – Rule 25-2

A ball embedded in its own pitch mark in the ground in any closely-mown area Through the Green may be lifted, cleaned and dropped without penalty as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole.

Closely-mown area means any area of the course, including paths through the rough, cut to fairway height or less.

Please remember that you must not repair the pitch mark in which the ball is embedded. If the ball, when dropped, rolls back into the pitch mark then it may be dropped again. Repair of the pitch mark infringes Rule 13-2, Improving the lie of the ball.

Wrong Putting Green – Rule 25-3

Interference by a wrong putting green occurs when a ball lies on the wrong putting green (which also includes a practice putting green or a pitching green such as ours on the left of the 18th).

Interference to a player’s stance or the area of his intended swing is not, of itself, interference under this rule.

If a player has interference by a wrong putting green the player must take relief as follows:-

The Nearest Point of Relief shall be determined which is not in a hazard or on a putting green and the ball shall be dropped within one club length. If the ball roll back onto the green then it must be re-dropped.

Please note that the one club-length relief is from the spot which is the nearest point of relief off the green. It does not matter that the player may still be taking his stance on the green.

Previous Rules of the Month

RULE 25-1 ABNORMAL GROUND CONDITIONS