What do the rules say about embedded balls after the kickoff?
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The rules of golf are tricky! Thankfully, we have the guru. Our rules experts know this book inside and out. Have a question? He's got all the answers.
On the tee shot, I hit the ball all the way into the ground, eight inches forward. I say the ball is embedded and can be relieved. My opponent said it was unplayable and required a penalty stroke. Rule Guy said… – Aaron Lowe, via email
…. Consider using a driver with more loft.
Rule 16.3a(2) stipulates that a ball that is hit directly into the ground without flying into the air is not an embedded ball, so a free rescue is not allowed for an embedded ball.
That is, if the ball is still inside the teeing area (if you tee off more than eight inches behind the mark, so your ball is still on the ground behind the mark), you can lift the ball and hit it again anywhere inside The tee shot is subject to Rule 6.2b, no penalty in the teeing area, strike 2.
For more guidance from our masters, read on…
Rules Guy: Can you get embedded ball relief from an unmarked lakeshore?
Ruler
Our 17th green has the unfairest bunker in the world. It's seven feet deep, but that's the easy part. It is shaped like a funnel, with only 0.001 inch of sand at the bottom. When I find myself in this abyss, can I hold the ball up, think it's unplayable, rake the sand off the wall into the base, then put the ball down and continue playing, one stroke short? Thank you for listening. —Bill Herrick, East Moriches, NY
Rules Guys always try to be a compassionate listener, and we've been with you when you wanted to treat the ball as unplayable and accept penalty relief. That's kosher.
But just like the sand in your cruel bunker—“the most unfair in the world” is certainly a bit of an exaggeration—your claims are eroded once you consider raking the sand where you intend to pitch, and by improving Your rescue area, which is prohibited.
You simply drop the ball under one of the four options in Rule 19.3, three of which (Strike and Distance, Line Back into Bunker, Lateral Relief in Bunker) carry a one-stroke penalty, and one ( Returning to the line in the bunker) will result in a one-stroke penalty.
Other options: Try a sand wedge with less flex or find a new home ball.
Need help solving the mystery of your home green? Get a customized Green Book from Golf Logix.
Have questions about the rules? Ask someone about the rules! Send your questions, confusion and comments to rulesguy@golf.com. We promise he won't throw the book at you.
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