What happens if your ball is in a bunker with water?
Yes, you get free relief. If your ball is in temporary water in a bunker (or you must stand in it), you may drop at the nearest point of complete relief inside the bunker with no penalty (Rule 16.1c), or take back-on-the-line relief outside the bunker for 1 penalty stroke.
The rule
Temporary water in a bunker is an abnormal course condition under Rule 16.1c. You have two options:
- Free relief inside the bunker (no penalty): Find the nearest point of complete relief from the temporary water that is still in the bunker — even if that spot is in unraked or worse sand — and drop within one club-length, no nearer the hole (Rule 16.1c(1)).
- Back-on-the-line relief outside the bunker (1 penalty stroke): Drop on the line from the hole through the ball's original position, going back as far as you like, outside the bunker (Rule 16.1c(2)).
Real example
Your ball plugs in wet sand next to a puddle left by rain. The nearest dry spot in the bunker is three feet left, still in the sand. Drop within one club-length of that spot — free relief, still in the bunker. Or: take 1 penalty stroke and drop outside the bunker on the back-on-the-line option to escape entirely.
What to do on the course
- Check whether the free relief spot inside the bunker gives a reasonable lie — sometimes the "dry" spot is worse than the water
- If the entire bunker is flooded, the nearest point of complete relief inside may be at the very edge of the sand
- The 1-stroke outside-bunker option is often worth it when the bunker is severely flooded
- You may always play the ball as it lies in the water — no obligation to take relief
Penalty
No penalty for relief inside the bunker. 1 penalty stroke for back-on-the-line relief outside the bunker.
Playing the ball as it lies in temporary water
You don't have to take relief — you can play the ball as it lies in the water. If you do, Rule 12.2b allows you to ground your club in the temporary water (and touch the water with your hand or club) when making the stroke. That's different from normal bunker sand, where grounding the club is prohibited. Just remember: if you choose to play it, you accept the lie; you can't then decide to take relief after a bad shot.
FAQ
Can I drop outside the bunker for free if it's completely flooded?
No. Free relief under Rule 16.1c(1) must be taken inside the bunker. To drop outside, you must use the back-on-the-line option under Rule 16.1c(2) and accept 1 penalty stroke.
What if I know my ball went into temporary water but I can't find it?
If it's known or virtually certain your ball is lost in temporary water (or another abnormal course condition like ground under repair), you don't need to find it. Rule 16.1e lets you estimate where the ball last crossed the edge of the condition and take free relief from that reference point — see What if my ball is lost but I know it's in an abnormal course condition?.
What if there is no dry spot at all in the bunker?
If the entire bunker is covered by temporary water, the nearest point of complete relief is the spot in the bunker where the water is shallowest (or at the bunker's edge). You still drop there for free, or take the 1-stroke option outside.
Does "casual water" mean the same as "temporary water"?
"Temporary water" is the current Rules term (since 2019). "Casual water" is the old term — they mean the same thing: any temporary accumulation of water on the ground that is not in a penalty area.
Can I clean my ball when taking relief from temporary water in a bunker?
Yes. Whenever you take relief under Rule 16.1, you may clean the ball before dropping (Rule 14.1c).
What if my stance is in temporary water but the ball is on dry sand?
You still get free relief. Rule 16.1a covers interference by an abnormal course condition, which includes your stance. Find the nearest point of complete relief for your stance and drop within one club-length.
Can I ground my club in temporary water in a bunker?
Yes. When your ball lies in temporary water in a bunker, Rule 12.2b(2) lets you ground your club in the water and touch the water with your hand or club before and during the stroke — something you normally can't do in a bunker.
What if the nearest point of complete relief is nearer the hole?
You can't use it. The nearest point of complete relief must not be nearer the hole than the ball's original spot. If every dry spot in the bunker is closer to the hole, free relief inside the bunker isn't available — your only relief option is the 1-stroke back-on-the-line drop outside the bunker.
Can I drop in a different bunker for free relief?
No. Free relief under Rule 16.1c(1) must be taken in the same bunker. The nearest point of complete relief is measured within that bunker. To reach a different bunker you'd need the back-on-the-line option (1 penalty stroke) or stroke-and-distance.