How to take relief from abnormal course condition in fairway
You get free relief. Find the nearest point of complete relief in the general area no closer to the hole, then drop within one club-length of that point (Rule 16.1b). No penalty.
Find your nearest point of complete relief
Pick the club you would have used from the original spot. Imagine your stance, swing, and line of play without the condition interfering. The nearest point of complete relief is where you could make that stroke with no interference from the abnormal course condition — not nearer the hole, and in the general area. You don't have to actually take the stance and swing, but doing so helps you estimate accurately.
Drop in the relief area
Once you've identified the nearest point of complete relief, measure one club-length from that point (not nearer the hole) — that's your relief area. Drop a ball from knee height so it lands in and stays in that relief area. The ball must be dropped in the general area. If it rolls out, re-drop once; if it rolls out again, place it where it first struck the ground on the second drop.
When another condition interferes after relief
If you take complete relief from one abnormal course condition but then have interference from a different one (like temporary water near a sprinkler head), that's a new situation. You may take relief again from the second condition by finding a new nearest point of complete relief. You can also choose to take relief from both conditions at once if continuing separately would keep bouncing you between them.
Exceptions that change the answer
- Ball lies underground in an abnormal course condition → Relief procedure depends on whether the ball is in the general area, bunker, penalty area, or out of bounds (Interpretation 16.1b/1).
- Ball lies on an elevated part of an immovable obstruction → Nearest point of complete relief is on the ground directly under the obstruction; vertical distance is disregarded (Interpretation 16.1/4).
Frequently asked questions
What counts as an abnormal course condition in the fairway?
Temporary water, ground under repair, animal holes, and immovable obstructions like sprinkler heads or drainage covers are abnormal course conditions. You get free relief from all of them in the fairway.
Can I drop in the rough if my nearest point of complete relief is there?
Yes. If the nearest point of complete relief from a sprinkler head in the fairway happens to be in the rough, you drop there. Better or worse conditions after relief are your good fortune (Interpretation 16.1/1).
Do I have to simulate the stroke to find the nearest point?
No, but it's recommended. You just need to identify the club, stance, swing, and line of play you would have used. Actually taking the stance helps you estimate accurately.
What if I have interference from two conditions at once?
You can choose which condition to take relief from first. If the second condition still interferes after that, take relief again from the new condition. If separate relief keeps bouncing you between them, you may determine a single nearest point of complete relief from both (Interpretation 16.1/3).
Is there ever a penalty for taking this relief?
No. Relief from abnormal course conditions in the general area (including fairway) is always free under Rule 16.1b. One club-length relief area, no penalty.