Embedded Ball Rule in Golf: When You Get Free Relief

What Is an Embedded Ball in Golf?

An embedded ball is a golf ball that is in the general area (for example the fairway or rough), sitting in its own pitch-mark made by your previous stroke, with part of the ball below the level of the ground (Rule 16.3a(2)). In plain terms, your shot came down, made a small crater, and the ball stayed in it.

Key points to remember:

• Location matters: Free relief under Rule 16.3b is only available in the general area. If the ball is in a bunker or a penalty area, there is no relief for an embedded ball (Rules 16.3a(1), 17.3).
• Pitch-mark requirement: The ball must be in the pitch-mark made by your own previous stroke (not another player's pitch-mark).
• Sand exception: If the ball is embedded in sand in a part of the general area not cut to fairway height or less, you do not get relief (Rule 16.3a(1) Exception).

Example:

If your approach lands in soft rough and the ball plugs in its own pitch-mark with part of it below ground, it is embedded and you get free relief. If it plugs in a bunker, you must play it as it lies.

When Do You Get Relief for an Embedded Ball?

Relief is only allowed for an embedded ball in the general area. The ball must meet both of these conditions:

1. Part of the ball is below the level of the ground (Rule 16.3a(2)). A ball that is completely below ground in its own pitch-mark still qualifies; a ball simply sitting down in the grass on top of the soil does not.
2. It is in its own pitch-mark made by your own previous stroke (not another player's pitch-mark).

Rule 16.3b sets out the relief: the reference point is the spot in the general area right behind where the ball is embedded. You drop within one club-length of that reference point, not nearer the hole, and the ball must come to rest in the general area. There is no penalty.

Example:

If your ball is embedded in the fairway, you lift it, drop within one club-length of the spot right behind the ball, no nearer the hole, and continue play. If it is embedded in a bunker, you play it as it lies.

Exceptions to the Embedded Ball Rule

There are several situations where the relief does not apply or works differently:

1. Sand in Areas Not Cut to Fairway Height or Less

If the ball is embedded in sand in a part of the general area not cut to fairway height or less (for example a sandy waste area off the fairway), you get no relief, or when playing it is clearly unreasonable for another reason (Rule 16.3a(1) Exceptions). Sand in a closely mown area is not covered by this exception.

2. Bunkers and Penalty Areas

No relief is allowed for an embedded ball in bunkers or penalty areas (Rules 16.3a(1), 17.3). This applies to every bunker on the course, greenside or fairway.

3. Model Local Rule F-2 (Fairway-Only Relief)

Under the Rules, relief applies anywhere in the general area, including the rough. Only if the Committee adopts Model Local Rule F-2 is relief limited to ball embedded in areas cut to fairway height or less. Check the local rules on the scorecard or notice board before you assume either way.

4. Embedded in Long Rough or Other Uncut Grass

If there is no Local Rule limiting relief, a ball embedded in long rough or other uncut grass in the general area still gets relief under Rule 16.3b. The drop works exactly the same: within one club-length of the spot right behind the ball, no nearer the hole, in the general area. The only uncut-area difference in the Rule is the sand exception above.

Example:

If your ball is embedded in the rough on a course where the Committee has adopted Local Rule F-2, you do not get relief under the embedded ball rule. You must play it as it lies.

How to Take Relief for an Embedded Ball

If the ball is eligible for relief, follow these steps:

1. Lift the Ball

• You may lift the ball without penalty (Rule 16.3b).
• Before lifting, find the spot right behind the ball. That is your reference point.

2. Drop the Ball

• Drop the ball within one club-length of the spot right behind the ball.
• The ball must come to rest no nearer the hole than the reference point and in the general area (Rule 16.3b).

3. Play the Ball

• After dropping, play the ball as it lies.

Example:

Your ball is embedded in the fairway. You lift it, drop it within one club-length of the spot right behind the ball, no nearer the hole, and play it from there.

What to Do If the Ball Is Embedded on the Green

On the putting green, Rule 16.3b relief does not apply because the green is not the general area. Instead, you can deal with the ball and the damage directly, without penalty (Rules 16.3a(1), 13.1c(2)):

• Mark the ball's position.
• Lift and clean the ball.
• Repair the pitch-mark.
• Replace the ball on its original spot.

Example:

If your ball plugs into a soft green, mark and lift the ball, clean it, repair the pitch-mark, and replace it on its original spot. No penalty is incurred.

Common Mistakes When Taking Relief

Avoid these common errors:

1. Taking relief in bunkers or penalty areas (not allowed; Rules 16.3a(1), 17.3).
2. Measuring from the wrong spot. The reference point is the spot right behind the ball, not the ball itself or the pitch-mark in front of it (Rule 16.3b).
3. Not checking whether the ball is in its own pitch-mark from your previous stroke (Rule 16.3a(2)).
4. Assuming a ball embedded in sand in an uncut area qualifies for relief. It does not (Rule 16.3a(1) Exception).
5. Forgetting the Local Rule. If the Committee adopts Model Local Rule F-2, relief may be limited to areas cut to fairway height or less.

Example:

If your ball is plugged in a greenside bunker, do not lift it. Play it as it lies.

Embedded vs Not Embedded

• Embedded (relief available): In the general area, in its own pitch-mark made by your previous stroke, with part of the ball below the level of the ground (Rule 16.3a(2)).
• Not eligible for relief under Rule 16.3: In a bunker or penalty area, in sand in a part of the general area not cut to fairway height or less, or not in its own pitch-mark (Rules 16.3a(1), 16.3a(2), 17.3).

Example:

A ball in the rough sitting in its own pitch-mark with part of it below ground is embedded. A ball plugged in a bunker gets no embedded-ball relief.

How the Embedded Ball Rule Affects Your Game

Knowing this rule can save strokes and avoid penalties:

• Save time: Avoid unnecessary delays by knowing straight away when you can take relief.
• Improve course management: Take the free relief you are entitled to instead of hacking a plugged ball out of the turf.
• Avoid penalties: Don't lift a plugged ball in a bunker or penalty area.

Example:

If your ball is embedded in the rough and no Local Rule limits relief, taking relief can help you avoid a difficult lie and potentially save a stroke.

Tips for Identifying an Embedded Ball

• Look for a pitch-mark: A small crater around the ball made by your own shot.
• Check the ground level: Part of the ball must be below the level of the ground, and it must be in its own pitch-mark from your previous stroke.
• Check where you are: In a bunker or penalty area, or in sand in an uncut area, there is no relief (Rules 16.3a(1), 17.3).

Example:

If you see a small crater in the rough with your ball sitting in it, part of it below ground, it is likely embedded.

When to Ask a Rules Official

• If you're unsure whether the ball is embedded or eligible for relief.
• If you're not sure whether the Committee has adopted Local Rule F-2.
• If you're unsure about the correct reference point for your drop.

Example:

If you're unsure whether Local Rule F-2 is in effect and your ball is embedded in the rough, ask a rules official or the pro shop before you play.

Drills to Master the Embedded Ball Rule

Drill 1: Play-It-As-It-Lies Practice

Setup: On the practice ground, press a ball into soft turf or sand where you are allowed to practice, so you get used to the lies where no relief applies.

Steps:

1. Practice hitting the ball with a smooth tempo and a slightly steeper strike.
2. Focus on getting the ball back in play rather than going for distance.
3. Repeat 10 times, aiming for clean contact.

What good looks like: The ball comes out cleanly and finishes in a playable spot.

Drill 2: Relief Simulation Drill

Setup: Place a ball in the fairway on the practice ground, pressed slightly into the turf.

Steps:

1. Find the spot right behind the ball, then lift it and drop within one club-length of that spot.
2. Check that the ball is no nearer the hole and in the general area.
3. Repeat 10 times, practicing the correct procedure.

What good looks like: The ball is dropped from the right reference point and comes to rest within the relief area.

Drill 3: Green Relief Awareness Drill

Setup: On the practice green, picture a ball that has plugged on landing.

Steps:

1. Mark the ball's position.
2. Lift and clean the ball, then repair the pitch-mark and replace the ball on its original spot.
3. Repeat 10 times, focusing on the order of the steps.

What good looks like: The ball is lifted, cleaned, and replaced on its original spot without penalty, and the pitch-mark is repaired.

Edition note: Based on the 2023 Rules of Golf; a new edition takes effect 1 January 2028.

FAQ

Can I take relief for an embedded ball in a bunker?

No. Relief is not allowed for an embedded ball in bunkers or penalty areas (Rules 16.3a(1), 17.3).

Does it matter if the ball is embedded in sand?

Yes. If the ball is embedded in sand in a part of the general area not cut to fairway height or less, it is not eligible for relief (Rule 16.3a(1) Exception).

What if the ball is embedded on the green?

On the putting green, mark and lift the ball, clean it, repair the pitch-mark, and replace it on its original spot (Rules 16.3a(1), 13.1c(2)).

What is Local Rule F-2, and how does it affect relief?

Model Local Rule F-2 limits embedded-ball relief to areas cut to fairway height or less, but only if the Committee adopts it. Without it, relief applies anywhere in the general area.

Related Pages

• Golf Rules – Every common rules situation in plain English, with the relief you get.
• Penalty Areas – Red vs yellow penalty areas and your one-stroke relief options.
• Bunker Shots – Plugged in the sand? No relief, so learn how to play it out.
• Mark, Lift and Clean – How to mark and lift your ball the right way before you drop
• Course Management – Plan shots so plugged lies happen less

Sources to Cite

• Rule 16.3a(1), 16.3a(2), 16.3b: https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-16
• Rule 13.1c(2): https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-13
• Rule 17.3: https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-17

Last updated: 2026-10-26