a) Obstruction
Obstruction by unusual ground is given if a ball lies in such a circumstance or touches it or if the player's stance or the space of his intended swing is affected by this circumstance. If the player's ball lies on the green, obstruction is also deemed to exist if there is unusual ground on the green on his putting line. Otherwise, if such a circumstance is only on the line of play, there is no obstruction under this rule.
Note: The course management may issue a course rule stating that there is no obstruction under this rule due to abnormal ground if only the player's stance is affected.
b) Relief
Except when the ball is in a water hazard or lateral water hazard, a player may claim relief from an obstruction caused by abnormal ground as follows:
(I) In terrain: If the ball is in terrain, the player must pick up the ball and drop it without penalty within one club length of the nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole than that point. The nearest point of relief must not be in an obstacle or on a green. If the ball is dropped within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, it must first strike a spot on a part of the course that excludes the described obstruction caused by the circumstance and is not in an obstruction or on a green.
(II) In a bunker: If the ball is in a bunker, the player must pick up the ball and drop it either
a) without penalty in accordance with (I) above, but the nearest point of relief must be in the bunker and the ball must be dropped in the bunker or, if full relief is not possible, as near as possible to where the ball lay, but not nearer the hole, on a part of the course in the bunker that offers the greatest achievable relief from the circumstance; or
b) with a penalty stroke outside the bunker. In this case, the point where the ball lay must be in a straight line between the hole and the place where the ball is dropped, with no restriction on how far behind the bunker the ball may be dropped.
(III) On the green: If the ball is on the green, the player must pick up the ball and place it without penalty at the nearest point of relief that is not in an obstruction, or if full relief is not possible, at the place nearest to the previous one that offers the greatest achievable relief from the circumstance, but not closer to the hole and not in an obstruction. The nearest point of relief or greatest achievable relief may be off the green.
(IV) On the tee: If the ball is on the tee, the player must pick up the ball and drop it without penalty in accordance with (I) above. The ball may be cleaned up if it has been picked up in accordance with Rule 25-1b. (Ball rolls into a position where obstruction is caused by the circumstance from which relief was taken - see Rule 20-2c (V)).
Exception: A player may not claim relief under this rule if
(a) it would be wholly unreasonable for him to make a stroke because of obstruction by anything other than abnormal ground; or
(b) the obstruction by such ground would occur solely as a result of an unnecessarily abnormal type of stance, swing or direction of play.
Note 1: If a ball is in a water hazard (including a lateral water hazard), the player may not claim relief without penalty for being hindered by abnormal ground. He must play the ball as it lies (unless a course rule prohibits this) or proceed in accordance with Rule 26-1.
Note 2: If a ball that is to be dropped or put down under this rule cannot be recovered immediately, another ball may be used.
c) Ball not found inabnormal ground
It is a question of circumstances whether a ball hit towards an abnormal ground and not found is actually in the abnormal ground. In order to apply this rule, it must be known or virtually certain that the ball is in the abnormal ground. If this knowledge or certainty is lacking, the player must proceed in accordance with Law 27-1.
If it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found is in an unusual ground, the player may claim relief under this rule. If he wishes to do so, the place where the ball last crossed the outermost boundary of the unusual ground must be identified and, for the purposes of applying this rule, the ball is deemed to be in that place. The player must then proceed as follows:
(I) On the ground: If the ball has last crossed the outermost boundary of the abnormally constituted ground at any point in the ground, the player may, without penalty, use another ball and take the relief prescribed in Rule 25-1b (I).
(II) In a bunker: If the ball has last crossed the outermost boundary of the unusual ground at a point in a bunker, the player may use another ball without penalty and claim the relief prescribed in Rule 25-1b (II).
(III) In a water hazard (including a side water hazard): If the ball has last crossed the outermost boundary of the abnormally constituted ground at any point in a water hazard, the player may not claim relief without penalty and must proceed in accordance with Rule 26-1.
(IV) On the green: If the ball has last crossed the outermost boundary of the abnormal ground at a point on the green, the player may use another ball without penalty and claim the relief prescribed in Rule 25-1b (III).
Status: 2018
