19/06/2026
Have you ever hit a tee shot so badly that it went straight into the ground? It happens to the best of us! 😅
But if that ball buries itself underground, does it qualify as an embedded ball, allowing free relief?
The Rule: If your ball is driven directly into the ground without becoming airborne, it is not considered embedded under Rule 16.3a(2). This means you are not entitled to free relief. 👎
In most cases, you'll need to play the ball as it lies or declare it unplayable and take a one-stroke penalty.
However, if the ball remains within the teeing area, you can lift it and tee it up again anywhere within the teeing area without penalty, playing your next shot as your second stroke under Rule 6.2b. 👍
If this just so happens to occur on the first tee, we'd argue it's probably fair to request a mulligan!
Stay tuned for more golf rules explained. 👀