What happens if your ball is embedded in sand?

The situation

Your ball plugs deep into the sand in a bunker — the classic "fried egg" lie where half the ball is buried. You want to take free relief because it's embedded.

The rule

Under Rule 16.3, the embedded ball relief rule applies only in the general area of the course (fairway and rough). It does not apply in bunkers, penalty areas, or the putting green. So if your ball is plugged in sand, you have no free relief under the embedded ball rule. Your options are: play it as it lies (the fried egg shot), or declare the ball unplayable under Rule 19 and take one of the unplayable relief options — all of which carry a 1-stroke penalty. In a bunker, unplayable relief options keep you inside the bunker unless you use the back-on-line option.

Real example

Your approach lands in a bunker and plugs so deep only the top half is visible. No free relief — it's a bunker. You can play the fried egg shot, or take an unplayable (1 stroke): drop within two club lengths in the bunker, go back on a line still in the bunker, or replay from where you last played (stroke-and-distance, also 1 stroke).

What to do on the course

• Accept the lie and play the shot — open the face, steep angle of attack, aim to splash sand under the ball
• If the lie is unplayable, your best unplayable option in a bunker is usually dropping within two club lengths (staying in the sand)
• The back-on-line option in a bunker keeps you in the sand — the only way out is stroke-and-distance (back to where you last played)
• There is no free drop to a flat lie in the same bunker

Penalty

No penalty (play as it lies). 1-stroke penalty if you declare it unplayable.