The ruling in plain English
If an accumulation of temporary water is visible before or after you take a normal stance and it interferes with your ball, intended stance or intended swing, you may normally play 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 water remains visible before or after taking your normal stance; wet or muddy ground alone does not qualify.
- 2
Check that it interferes with the ball, 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.
Mark the point before you drop
Once you have found the nearest point of complete relief from temporary water, a tee can help mark it while you measure the permitted drop area. The tee is a handy marker, not a Rules requirement.
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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.
- On the putting green, place the ball at the nearest point of complete relief rather than dropping it.
Common mistakes
- Treating soft, muddy or wet ground as temporary water when no accumulation remains visible.
- Taking free temporary-water relief when the ball is inside a penalty area.
Remember: Water must remain; relief must be complete.
R&A Definition of Temporary Water; Rule 16.1
Independent plain-English guide. The current Rules, Interpretations and applicable Local Rules control.
Watch temporary-water relief explained
This official USGA video explains free relief from abnormal course conditions, including temporary water.