Rule 25-2: Embedded Ball

[Dave325]

I see there is a note/change to this rule that says the player can get relief without penalty for an embedded ball anywhere through the green. A committe decision? Not sure what "through the green" means. Does this mean anywhere between the tee and green.... As in the case of a plugged ball during wet conditions? Or, in the car as a burrowing animal hole as stated elsewhere? Any thoughts?

[dkolo]

21 minutes ago, Dave325 said:

I see there is a note/change to this rule that says the player can get relief without penalty for an embedded ball anywhere through the green. A committe decision? Not sure what "through the green" means. Does this mean anywhere between the tee and green.... As in the case of a plugged ball during wet conditions? Or, in the car as a burrowing animal hole as stated elsewhere? Any thoughts?

You can think of it roughly as "not in a hazard."

[Dave325]

Ok, so... A plugged ball on the fairway, fringe or rough cut can get a free drop?

[Asheville]

Here are some facts about the embedded ball.

First the Rule:

25-2. Embedded Ball

If a player's ball is embedded in any closely-mown area through the green, it may be lifted, cleaned and dropped, without penalty, as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole.

Second, a Definition:

"Through the green" is the whole area of the course except:

a. The teeing ground and putting green of the hole being played; and

b. All hazards on the course. (Hazards are bunkers and water hazards.)

Third, the authorized Local Rule:

Note 3: The Committee may adopt the Local Rule as provided for in Appendix I allowing a player relief, without penalty, for a ball embedded anywhere through the green.

From Appendix I:

Through the green, a ball that is embedded may be lifted, cleaned and dropped, without penalty, as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole.

 

[Dave325]

5 minutes ago, Asheville said:

Here are some facts about the embedded ball.

First the Rule:

25-2. Embedded Ball

If a player's ball is embedded in any closely-mown area through the green, it may be lifted, cleaned and dropped, without penalty, as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole.

Second, a Definition:

"Through the green" is the whole area of the course except:

a. The teeing ground and putting green of the hole being played; and

b. All hazards on the course. (Hazards are bunkers and water hazards.)

Third, the authorized Local Rule:

Note 3: The Committee may adopt the Local Rule as provided for in Appendix I allowing a player relief, without penalty, for a ball embedded anywhere through the green.

From Appendix I:

Through the green, a ball that is embedded may be lifted, cleaned and dropped, without penalty, as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole.

 

Perfect explanation. Thanks. So then, by this definition... A plugged ball in the fairway or fringe rough cut grass can be dropped. What I am surprised with on this ruling is that it can also be cleaned. 

[Dormie1360]

19 minutes ago, Asheville said:

Here are some facts about the embedded ball.

First the Rule:

25-2. Embedded Ball

If a player's ball is embedded in any closely-mown area through the green, it may be lifted, cleaned and dropped, without penalty, as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole.

Closely Mown Definition: "Closely Mown" means any area of the course, including paths through the rough, cut to fairway height or less.

Second, a Definition:

"Through the green" is the whole area of the course except:

a. The teeing ground and putting green of the hole being played; and

b. All hazards on the course. (Hazards are bunkers and water hazards.)

Third, the authorized Local Rule:

Note 3: The Committee may adopt the Local Rule as provided for in Appendix I allowing a player relief, without penalty, for a ball embedded anywhere through the green.

From Appendix I:

Through the green, a ball that is embedded may be lifted, cleaned and dropped, without penalty, as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole.

 

 

 I added the definition for "Closely-Mown".  

One other thing for completeness.  Although most clubs and tournaments in the US include the local rule allowing for relief "through the green" , this does not include sandy areas.   No relief for balls embedded in sandy areas through the green. 

Edited December 29, 2015 by Dormie1360

[Fourputt]

40 minutes ago, Dave325 said:

Perfect explanation. Thanks. So then, by this definition... A plugged ball in the fairway or fringe rough cut grass can be dropped. What I am surprised with on this ruling is that it can also be cleaned. 

Only if the local rule is in effect.  Without that local rule, the player can only get relief in closely mowed areas cut to fairway height or less.

37 minutes ago, Dormie1360 said:

 

 I added the definition for "Closely-Mown".  

One other thing for completeness.  Although most clubs and tournaments in the US include the local rule allowing for relief "through the green" , this does not include sandy areas.   No relief for balls embedded in sandy areas through the green. 

I would disagree to your comment of "most clubs".  In 40 years I have never seen this local rule in effect, and that includes 22 years of club tournaments, and 3 years of refereeing for Colorado Golf Association tournaments.

[Dormie1360]

11 minutes ago, Fourputt said:

Only if the local rule is in effect.  Without that local rule, the player can only get relief in closely mowed areas cut to fairway height or less.

I would disagree to your comment of "most clubs".  In 40 years I have never seen this local rule in effect, and that includes 22 years of club tournaments, and 3 years of refereeing for Colorado Golf Association tournaments.

Must be a Colorado thing.  

The Kentucky Golf Association Conditions of Compitition use the local rule, as does most clubs I'm aware of around here.   Doesn't the PGA Tour play TTG?  The USGA also?

As a side note I've been told the USGA has been trying to make R25-2 include Through the Green for some time.  My understanding is they have been unable to get the R&A on board with the change.

[Dormie1360]

Have you refereed recently?

I got this on the Colorado Golf Association's website.  It says this is for all their championships and qualifiers. Check out the paragraph above "conditions".

CGA Hard Card

 

Edited December 29, 2015 by Dormie1360

[Asheville]

1 hour ago, Dave325 said:

Perfect explanation. Thanks. So then, by this definition... A plugged ball in the fairway or fringe rough cut grass can be dropped. What I am surprised with on this ruling is that it can also be cleaned. 

One way to think about your right to clean the ball in this instance is that relief is provided under Rule 25 - Abnormal Ground Conditions, Embedded Ball . . . .

The thinking is that when your golf ball encounters an "abnormal" situation, then you should have the opportunity to clean lt.

Most of the time when the Rules permit you to lift the ball you may also clean it.  (There are a few exceptions, of course, but let's leave them for the time when you get a better handle on the Rules.)

But since my learned colleagues may well wish to chip in, I'll offer:

Six times lifted ball may not be cleaned
1 Determine if unfit for play (R 5-3)
2 For identification (R 12-1)
3 Assisting/interfering not on green (R 22) 
4 Determine if embedded (D 20-1/0.7)
5 Determine if in casual water  (D 20-1/0.7)
6 Determine if in animal hole  (D 20-1/0.7)

Edited December 29, 2015 by Asheville

[Rulesman]

The LR is usually only used over here in wet conditions during the winter.

The Appendix specifies when it may be used and by implication, when not.

Quote

Temporary conditions that might interfere with proper playing of the game, including mud and extreme wetness, warranting relief for an embedded ball ...........

 

Edited December 29, 2015 by Rulesman

[Martyn W]

11 hours ago, Asheville said:

Six times lifted ball may not be cleaned
1 Determine if unfit for play (R 5-3)
2 For identification (R 12-1)
3 Assisting/interfering not on green (R 22) 
4 Determine if embedded (D 20-1/0.7)
5 Determine if in casual water  (D 20-1/0.7)
6 Determine if in animal hole  (D 20-1/0.7)

Yep, you got them all. The only thing I would add is identifying the ball is 12-2, not 12-1 ;)

 

[Asheville]

Thanks, Martyn. PM sent. :)

[Dormie1360]

16 hours ago, Dave325 said:

Perfect explanation. Thanks. So then, by this definition... A plugged ball in the fairway or fringe rough cut grass can be dropped. What I am surprised with on this ruling is that it can also be cleaned. 

Ashville gave you a good list.  Although some rules, like  24  (Obstructions) and 25 (Abnormal Ground Condition) specifically authorize the cleaning of the golf ball when lifted, these are really just "public service announcements".  Other than the six reasons mentioned, if the ball is lifted it may be cleaned.  Say a player accidentally moves his ball which was at rest requiring the ball to be replaced with a 1 stroke penalty.  If the player cleaned his ball before replacing, there is no additional penalty for cleaning.

Edited December 29, 2015 by Dormie1360