The ruling in plain English
If ground under repair interferes with your ball, intended stance or intended swing and the ball is outside a penalty area, you may normally play it as it lies or take free relief. In the general area, find the nearest point of complete relief and drop within one club-length, no nearer the hole.
Apply the Rule on the course
Interference includes the ball, intended stance or intended swing; Rule 16.1 relief is unavailable when the ball is in a penalty area. In the general area, free relief uses the nearest point of complete relief and a one-club-length relief area, no nearer the hole.
- 1
Confirm that the area is ground under repair under the Committee's markings, declaration or the Rules definition.
- 2
Check that it interferes with the ball, your intended stance or intended swing.
- 3
Find the nearest point where the interference is completely removed.
- 4
Drop within one club-length of that point, in the general area and no nearer the hole.
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What else matters
No penalty for valid relief; playing from a wrong place brings loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play.
Exceptions
- Rule 16.1 relief is unavailable when the ball is in a penalty area.
- Free bunker relief normally remains in the bunker; back-on-the-line relief outside costs one penalty stroke.
- Relief is mandatory when the area is a no-play zone.
Common mistakes
- Choosing the most convenient side instead of the nearest point of complete relief.
- Assuming any damaged or bare ground is automatically ground under repair.
Remember: Confirm GUR, find complete relief, then drop one club-length.
R&A Definition of Ground Under Repair; Rule 16.1
Independent plain-English guide. The current Rules, Interpretations and applicable Local Rules control.
Watch ground-under-repair relief explained
This official USGA video explains free relief from abnormal course conditions, including ground under repair.