Rules · Tip
Temporary Water or Repair Ground in a Bunker
Part of our rules programs. Build a program with it
Your ball is in a bunker, and temporary water or ground under repair gets in the way. Rule 16.1c gives you two choices. First, free relief inside the bunker. Find the nearest spot in the bunker where the condition no longer bothers you. Drop within one club-length, not closer to the hole, still in the bunker. If no such spot exists, use the spot with the most relief. Second, for one penalty stroke, drop outside the bunker, going straight back from the hole through where your ball was.
Step by step
- Check that the condition gets in your way.
- Choice one: free drop in the bunker.
- No full relief? Use the best spot available.
- Choice two: one stroke, drop outside.
- Keep the ball's spot between you and the hole.
Why it works
Relief puts you in a position where the condition no longer affects your stance or swing. Rule 16.1c keeps free relief inside the bunker so you still play the shot from sand. The penalty option lets you leave the bunker, but you pay one stroke and must drop on the line straight back from the hole, so you gain no distance advantage.
Common mistakes
- Taking relief when the condition does not actually affect your stance or swing.Check first that the condition gets in the way of your stance or swing, and play the ball as it lies if it does not.
- Picking a relief spot that is closer to the hole.Find the nearest point of relief, then drop within one club-length of it, no closer to the hole and still in the bunker.
- Dropping outside the bunker off the line when taking the penalty option.Keep the spot where your ball was between you and the hole, and drop on that line going straight back.
How you'll know it's working
- You can name the nearest spot in the bunker where the condition no longer bothers you before you pick up the ball.
- Your dropped ball ends up in the bunker, within one club-length and not closer to the hole.
- If you take the penalty drop, the ball, its original spot and the hole all sit on one straight line.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice on a bunker with one clear wet patch, and use a club to measure the one club-length before you drop.
Harder: Practice with a ball near the lip or edge of a wet area where no spot gives full relief, and decide which option is best.
Common questions
Do I get free relief from a puddle in a bunker?
Yes. Under Rule 16.1c you can drop in the bunker without penalty, at the nearest spot where the water no longer bothers you, within one club-length and not closer to the hole.
What if there is no spot in the bunker with full relief?
Use the spot in the bunker with the most relief, then drop within one club-length of it, not closer to the hole and still in the bunker. You can also take the penalty option and drop outside.
