Embedded ball query

slave1

Interesting one here...

Playing partner drove short into the rough, tried to melt it with a 3 wood and just mashed the ball into the ground, it was completely plugged so he took a penalty stroke and dropped it as unplayable.
There's a local rule in play currently allowing a free drop from a plugged ball in the rough, however this never occurred to us during the round.

In the example above is the local rule for a free drop applicable?

ForeRight

slave1 wrote: »

Interesting one here...

Playing partner drove short into the rough, tried to melt it with a 3 wood and just mashed the ball into the ground, it was completely plugged so he took a penalty stroke and dropped it as unplayable.
There's a local rule in play currently allowing a free drop from a plugged ball in the rough, however this never occurred to us during the round.

In the example above is the local rule for a free drop applicable?

Yes

jimjim12

slave1 wrote: »

Interesting one here...

Playing partner drove short into the rough, tried to melt it with a 3 wood and just mashed the ball into the ground, it was completely plugged so he took a penalty stroke and dropped it as unplayable.
There's a local rule in play currently allowing a free drop from a plugged ball in the rough, however this never occurred to us during the round.

In the example above is the local rule for a free drop applicable?

I don't think it is. From the R&A site.
Rule 25-2 gives relief for a ball embedded in its own pitch-mark in a closely-mown area through the green. However, where the ground is unusually soft, the Committee may, by temporary Local Rule, allow the lifting of an embedded ball anywhere “through the green” if it is satisfied that the proper playing of the game would otherwise be prevented. It is recommended that the Local Rule would be for a short period only and, if practicable, confined to specified areas. The Committee must withdraw the Local Rule as soon as conditions warrant and therefore, it should not be printed on the score card.

This is what is mentioned in the local rule where I play.

'Please note that if you play a stroke and drive the ball further into the ground you are not entitled to free relief under the embedded ball rule or Local Rule. A ball is considered embedded when it is in its own pitch mark with part of the ball below the level of the ground. The word ‘pitch mark’ implies that the ball has become airborne, Your only option here is to proceed under the unplayable ball rule under penalty of one stroke.'

ForeRight

Why are golf rules so confusing?

slave1

So not really clear so as the local rule in question just states relief from plugged ball and does not go on to outline the whole pitched/airborne, interesting one

slave1

Okay, not as clear as we thought, I found this on the rules explorer...

25-2/0.5 When Ball Embedded in Ground

A ball is deemed to be embedded in the ground only if:
1. the impact of the ball landing has created a pitch-mark in the ground,
2. the ball is is its own pitch-mark, and
3. part of the ball is below the level of the ground.
Provided that these three requirements are met, a ball does not necessarily have to touch the soil to be considered embedded

By virtue of driving the ball into the ground the first condition was not met and therefore the ball is not considered embedded IMHO.