Rules of golf
Free Relief vs Penalty Relief: What's the Difference?
How to tell when relief is free, when it costs a penalty, and where to drop the ball.
The first question
Ask why you are taking relief. Cart path, temporary water, ground under repair, and some embedded balls may provide free relief. Penalty areas, unplayable lies, and lost balls generally do not.
Nearest point is not nicest point
Free relief often means nearest point of complete relief, not the best patch of grass nearby. Sometimes the correct drop is awkward. That is part of the rule.
| Relief type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Cart path | Free |
| Ground under repair | Free |
| Penalty area | One stroke |
| Unplayable ball | One stroke |
Mark it carefully
Use a tee to identify reference points. Clear procedure prevents disputes.