You get free relief when your ball is embedded in its own pitch mark in the general area under Rule 16.3. Drop within one club-length of the reference point, no nearer the hole.
Do you get relief from an embedded ball?
Yes — free relief when your ball is embedded in its own pitch mark in the general area, under Rule 16.3. This rule changed in 2019 to allow relief anywhere in the general area, not just "closely mown areas."
When does embedded ball relief apply?
| Situation | Relief? |
|---|---|
| Ball embedded in its own pitch mark in fairway or rough | Yes — free relief (Rule 16.3) |
| Ball sitting in a divot (not embedded) | No free relief — play it or declare unplayable |
| Ball embedded in sand (bunker) | No free relief |
| Ball embedded in a penalty area | No free relief — use penalty area relief |
Do you get relief from someone else's pitch mark?
Under the standard Rules of Golf, you only get relief from your own pitch mark. But in 2026, the USGA introduced a Model Local Rule that allows relief from other players' pitch marks — the "Shane Lowry rule" after his controversy at the 2025 Open. Check the local rules before your round.
The drop procedure, step by step
- Confirm the ball is embedded.
- Mark the reference point right behind the ball.
- Drop within one club-length of the reference point, no nearer the hole.
- Let it come to rest in the relief area; re-drop if it rolls out, then place if it happens again.
Quick answers
Do you get relief from an embedded ball in golf? Yes, under Rule 16.3, within one club-length of the reference point.
Does embedded ball relief apply in the rough? Yes, anywhere in the general area.
Do you get relief from someone else's pitch mark? Not under standard rules, but a 2026 Model Local Rule may allow it — check local rules.
What's the drop procedure for an embedded ball? Mark the spot behind the ball, drop within one club-length, no nearer the hole.
Embedded ball vs. unplayable lie — which should you take? Embedded is free relief (Rule 16.3); a non-embedded bad lie requires declaring unplayable (Rule 19, one stroke).