What Is Free Relief in Golf?
Free Relief: Relief without penalty, available in specific situations defined by the Rules of Golf.
Free Relief — full definition
Relief without penalty, available in specific situations defined by the Rules of Golf. Common free relief situations include: immovable obstructions (cart paths, sprinkler heads), abnormal course conditions (ground under repair, temporary water), and embedded balls in the general area. Free relief always requires finding the nearest point of complete relief.
Free Relief — frequently asked
When do you get free relief?
- Immovable obstructions — cart paths, sprinkler heads, drain covers
- Abnormal course conditions — ground under repair, temporary water
- Embedded balls in the general area
Free Relief — how does it work?
- Find the nearest point of complete relief, no closer to the hole
- Drop within one club-length of that point
- Ball must come to rest in the same area of the course
More on Free Relief
Free relief is a family of rules rather than a single one, and the governing body publishes the full text.
- US golf associations directoryThe USGA and every state association, with links to their rules resources.
- Golf weatherTemporary water is the free-relief situation you will meet most often.
- Score differential calculatorNo penalty stroke means nothing changes here — which is the point.
Other rules & penalties
Stymie
A historic golf term for when an opponent’s ball blocked your path to the hole on the putting green.
Lateral Hazard
Now called a red penalty area — a hazard running alongside the line of play.
Out of Bounds
The area beyond the course boundary, marked by white stakes or a fence.
Provisional Ball
A second ball played from the same spot when you think your original may be lost or out of bounds.
Unplayable Lie
You can declare your ball unplayable anywhere except in a penalty area, with three relief options.
Ground Under Repair
A marked area on the course where you get free relief — no penalty.
Embedded Ball
A ball stuck in its own pitch-mark in the general area — you get free relief.