What Is Free Relief in Golf and When Can You Take It?
Free relief in golf is a rule that allows golfers to take a drop without penalty in certain situations. It’s a valuable tool that can help you save strokes and avoid penalties, so it’s important to understand the ins and outs of the rule.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at free relief, including what it is, when you can take it, and how to do it correctly. We’ll also provide some tips on how to use free relief to your advantage on the golf course.
| What Is Free Relief In Golf? | When Is Free Relief Available? | What Are The Different Types Of Free Relief? |
|---|---|---|
| Free relief is when a player is allowed to move their ball without penalty to a better position. | Free relief is available when a ball is:
|
The different types of free relief are:
|
What is free relief in golf?
Free relief in golf is a rule that allows a player to take their ball out of an area of the course that is considered to be unplayable. This can include areas such as bunkers, water hazards, and rough.
There are a number of different reasons why a player may be entitled to free relief. These include:
- If the ball is embedded in the ground.
- If the ball is in a water hazard.
- If the ball is in an area of ground under repair.
- If the ball is in a bunker.
- If the ball is on a closely mown area of ground that is not a fairway.
- If the ball is in an area that is obstructed by an immovable obstruction.
When a player is entitled to free relief, they can take their ball out of the area and drop it within two club lengths of the nearest point of relief, not nearer the hole. If the nearest point of relief is in a hazard, the player must drop the ball in the hazard.
Free relief is not allowed if the ball is in a penalty area. A penalty area is an area of the course that is marked with red or yellow stakes. If the ball is in a penalty area, the player must take a penalty stroke and drop the ball in the penalty area, within two club lengths of the nearest point of relief, not nearer the hole.
When is free relief allowed?
Free relief is allowed in a number of different situations. These include:
- If the ball is embedded in the ground.
- If the ball is in a water hazard.
- If the ball is in an area of ground under repair.
- If the ball is in a bunker.
- If the ball is on a closely mown area of ground that is not a fairway.
- If the ball is in an area that is obstructed by an immovable obstruction.
In each of these situations, the player is entitled to take their ball out of the area and drop it within two club lengths of the nearest point of relief, not nearer the hole. If the nearest point of relief is in a hazard, the player must drop the ball in the hazard.
Free relief is not allowed if the ball is in a penalty area. A penalty area is an area of the course that is marked with red or yellow stakes. If the ball is in a penalty area, the player must take a penalty stroke and drop the ball in the penalty area, within two club lengths of the nearest point of relief, not nearer the hole.
3. How to take free relief?
There are a few different ways to take free relief in golf. The specific method you use will depend on the type of relief you are taking.
General relief
If you are taking general relief, you can simply drop your ball anywhere within the relief area. The relief area is a two-club-length radius from the nearest point of relief, with the point of relief being the nearest point on the course where you could have played your ball without taking relief.
Back-on-the-line relief
If you are taking back-on-the-line relief, you must drop your ball on the line of play, behind the obstruction, and no closer to the hole.
Front-on-the-line relief
If you are taking front-on-the-line relief, you must drop your ball on the line of play, in front of the obstruction, and no closer to the hole.
Through-the-green relief
If you are taking through-the-green relief, you must drop your ball within two club-lengths of the nearest point of relief, which is the nearest point on the course where you could have played your ball without taking relief. The dropped ball must be played as it lies.
Water hazard relief
If you are taking water hazard relief, you must drop your ball within two club-lengths of the nearest point of relief, which is the nearest point on the course where you could have played your ball without taking relief. The dropped ball must be played as it lies.
Casual water relief
If you are taking casual water relief, you must drop your ball anywhere within the relief area. The relief area is a two-club-length radius from the nearest point of relief, with the point of relief being the nearest point on the course where you could have played your ball without taking relief.
Ground under repair relief
If you are taking ground under repair relief, you must drop your ball anywhere within the relief area. The relief area is a two-club-length radius from the nearest point of relief, with the point of relief being the nearest point on the course where you could have played your ball without taking relief.
Unplayable lie relief
If you are taking unplayable lie relief, you must drop your ball within two club-lengths of the nearest point of relief, which is the nearest point on the course where you could have played your ball without taking relief. The dropped ball must be played as it lies.
4. What are the consequences of taking free relief?
There are a few consequences of taking free relief in golf.
First, you will lose a stroke. This is because you are taking relief from a condition that would otherwise have penalized you. For example, if you take relief from a water hazard, you will lose a stroke.
Second, you may have to take a penalty drop. This is because you are dropping your ball in a different location than where you originally hit it. For example, if you take relief from a water hazard, you will have to take a penalty drop.
Third, you may have to play your ball as it lies. This is because you are not allowed to improve your lie or position of your ball when taking free relief. For example, if you take relief from a water hazard, you must play your ball from the spot where you dropped it.
Finally, you may have to mark your ball and return to it later. This is because you are not allowed to play your ball from the spot where you dropped it until after you have taken your next stroke. For example, if you take relief from a water hazard, you must mark your ball and return to it later.
Free relief is a valuable tool that can be used to avoid penalties and improve your score. However, it is important to understand the consequences of taking free relief before you do so.
What is free relief in golf?
Free relief is the right to move your ball without penalty to a better position when it is in a hazard or other unfavorable spot.
When is free relief allowed?
Free relief is allowed when your ball is in a hazard, on the wrong side of a water hazard or cart path, or when it is embedded in the ground.
How do I get free relief?
To get free relief, you must first identify the area where you are taking relief. This is called the “relief area.” The relief area is the nearest point of complete relief that is not closer to the hole than your original position.
Once you have identified the relief area, you must drop your ball within the relief area. The ball must be dropped so that it is not nearer the hole than your original position.
What if my ball is in a water hazard?
If your ball is in a water hazard, you are allowed to take free relief from the point where the ball entered the hazard.
What if my ball is on the wrong side of a water hazard or cart path?
If your ball is on the wrong side of a water hazard or cart path, you are allowed to take free relief from the nearest point of complete relief that is not closer to the hole than your original position.
What if my ball is embedded in the ground?
If your ball is embedded in the ground, you are allowed to take free relief by dropping the ball within one club-length of the spot where it was embedded.
What if I take free relief and my ball rolls into a worse position?
If your ball rolls into a worse position after you take free relief, you must play the ball from where it lies.
What if I take free relief and my ball rolls into the hole?
If your ball rolls into the hole after you take free relief, you are credited with a hole-in-one.
free relief in golf is a rule that allows golfers to take a drop without penalty in certain situations. These situations include when the ball is embedded in the ground, when it is in a water hazard, or when it is on or near a cart path. Free relief can also be granted if the ball is in an area that is declared to be out of bounds. By understanding the rules of free relief, golfers can avoid penalties and play the game in a fair manner.
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Hello, fellow golf enthusiasts! I’m Matthew Woods, the founder of GolfPGAChampionship.com.
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