25-1. Abnormal Ground Conditions
a. Interference
Interference by an abnormal ground condition occurs when a
ball lies in or touches the condition or when the condition
interferes with the player’s stance or the area of his intended
swing. If the player’s ball lies on the putting green, interference
also occurs if an abnormal ground condition on the putting
green intervenes on his line of putt. Otherwise, intervention on
the line of play is not, of itself, interference under this Rule.
Note: The Committee may make a Local Rule denying the
player relief from interference with his stance by an abnormal
ground condition.
b. Relief
Except when the ball is in a water hazard or a lateral water
hazard, a player may take relief from interference by an
abnormal ground condition as follows:
(i) Through the Green: If the ball lies through the green, the
player must lift the ball and drop it without penalty within
one club-length of and not nearer the hole than the nearest
point of relief. The nearest point of relief must not be in a
hazard or on a putting green. When the ball is dropped
within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, the
ball must first strike a part of the course at a spot that
avoids interference by the condition and is not in a hazard
and not on a putting green.
(ii) In a Bunker: If the ball is in a bunker, the player must lift
the ball and drop it either:
(a) Without penalty, in accordance with Clause (i) above,
except that the nearest point of relief must be in the
bunker and the ball must be dropped in the bunker, or
if complete relief is impossible, as near as possible to
the spot where the ball lay, but not nearer the hole, on
a part of the course in the bunker that affords
maximum available relief from the condition; or
(b) Under penalty of one stroke, outside the bunker
keeping the point where the ball lay directly between
the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped,
with no limit to how far behind the bunker the ball
may be dropped.
(iii) On the Putting Green: If the ball lies on the putting green,
the player must lift the ball and place it without penalty at
the nearest point of relief that is not in a hazard, or if
complete relief is impossible, at the nearest position to
where it lay that affords maximum available relief from
the condition, but not nearer the hole and not in a hazard.
The nearest point of relief or maximum available relief
may be off the putting green.
(iv) On the Teeing Ground: If the ball lies on the teeing
ground, the player must lift the ball and drop it without
penalty in accordance with Clause (i) above.
The ball may be cleaned when lifted under Rule 25-1b.
(Ball rolling to a position where there is interference by the
condition from which relief was taken – see Rule 20-2c(v))
Exception: A player may not take relief under this Rule if (a)
it is clearly unreasonable for him to make a stroke because of
interference by anything other than an abnormal ground
condition or (b) interference by an abnormal ground condition
would occur only through use of an unnecessarily abnormal
stance, swing or direction of play.
Note 1: If a ball is in a water hazard (including a lateral water
hazard), the player is not entitled to relief without penalty
from interference by an abnormal ground condition. The
player must play the ball as it lies (unless prohibited by Local
Rule) or proceed under Rule 26-1.
Note 2: If a ball to be dropped or placed under this Rule is not
immediately recoverable, another ball may be substituted.
c. Ball Lost
It is a question of fact whether a ball lost after having been
struck toward an abnormal ground condition is lost in such
condition. In order to treat the ball as lost in the abnormal
ground condition, there must be reasonable evidence to that
effect. In the absence of such evidence, the ball must be treated
as a lost ball and Rule 27 applies.
If a ball is lost in an abnormal ground condition, the spot
where the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the
condition must be determined and, for the purpose of applying
this Rule, the ball is deemed to lie at this spot and the player
may take relief as follows:
(i) Through the Green: If the ball last crossed the outermost
limits of the abnormal ground condition at a spot through
the green, the player may substitute another ball without
penalty and take relief as prescribed in Rule 25-1b(i).
(ii) In a Bunker: If the ball last crossed the outermost limits of
the abnormal ground condition at a spot in a bunker, the
player may substitute another ball without penalty and
take relief as prescribed in Rule 25-1b(ii).
(iii) In a Water Hazard (including a Lateral Water Hazard): If
the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the abnormal
ground condition at a spot in a water hazard, the player is
not entitled to relief without penalty. The player must
proceed under Rule 26-1.
(iv) On the Putting Green: If the ball last crossed the
outermost limits of the abnormal ground condition at a
spot on the putting green, the player may substitute
another ball without penalty and take relief as prescribed
in Rule 25-1b(iii).

25-2. Embedded Ball
A ball embedded in its own pitch-mark in the ground in any
closely-mown area through the green may be lifted, cleaned
and dropped, without penalty, as near as possible to the spot
where it lay but not nearer the hole. The ball when dropped
must first strike a part of the course through the green.
“Closely-mown area” means any area of the course, including
paths through the rough, cut to fairway height or less.

25-3. Wrong Putting Green
a. Interference
Interference by a wrong putting green occurs when a ball is on
the wrong putting green.
Interference to a player’s stance or the area of his intended
swing is not, of itself, interference under this Rule.
b. Relief
If a player’s ball lies on a wrong putting green, he must not
play the ball as it lies. He must take relief, without penalty,
as follows:
The player must lift the ball and drop it within one club-length
of and not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief. The
nearest point of relief must not be in a hazard or on a putting
green. When dropping the ball within one club-length of the
nearest point of relief, the ball must first strike a part of the
course at a spot that avoids interference by the wrong putting
green and is not in a hazard and not on a putting green. The
ball may be cleaned when lifted under this Rule.