20 Rules for ’19: #18 – Embedded Ball Relief

January 9, 2019 by Allen Freeman

Another easy-to-understand and sensible rule change for 2019 involves the embedded ball.

In the past, relief for a ball embedded below the ground in its own pitch mark was granted only in a closely-mown area unless a local rule granted relief “through the green” (any area of play except sand bunkers and hazards).

For 2019, the rule is wisely reversed: relief is always granted for any an embedded ball in the “general area” (the new terminology for “through the green”) unless a local rule restricts relief only to closely-mown areas — and such a local rule would almost never be invoked.

The drop is taken from knee height and must come to rest within one club length behind the pitch mark.