How do I take relief from an abnormal course condition?

Q: How do I take relief from an abnormal course condition?

Free relief under Rule 16.1 depends on where your ball is: General area: drop a ball in a relief area. The reference point is the nearest point of complete relief in the general area. The relief area extends one club-length from that point, must be in the general area, must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and must give complete relief from the condition. Bunker: Free relief: follow the general area procedure, but the nearest point of complete relief and the relief area must be in the bunker. If there is no such point, use the point of maximum available relief in the bunker. Penalty relief (one penalty stroke): drop outside the bunker, keeping the spot of the original ball between the hole and your drop, with no limit on how far back. The relief area is one club-length from where the ball first touches the ground, not nearer the hole than the original spot, and not in the same bunker. Putting green: place the ball on the nearest point of complete relief, which must be on the putting green or in the general area. If there is none, use the point of maximum available relief, again on the green or in the general area. Penalty area: Rule 16.1 does not apply; the only relief is under the penalty area Rule. Playing from a wrong place in breach of Rule 16.1 is the general penalty.

Question

Accepted Answer

Free relief under Rule 16.1 depends on where your ball is:

General area: drop a ball in a relief area. The reference point is the nearest point of complete relief in the general area. The relief area extends one club-length from that point, must be in the general area, must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and must give complete relief from the condition.

Bunker:

Free relief: follow the general area procedure, but the nearest point of complete relief and the relief area must be in the bunker. If there is no such point, use the point of maximum available relief in the bunker.
Penalty relief (one penalty stroke): drop outside the bunker, keeping the spot of the original ball between the hole and your drop, with no limit on how far back. The relief area is one club-length from where the ball first touches the ground, not nearer the hole than the original spot, and not in the same bunker.

Putting green: place the ball on the nearest point of complete relief, which must be on the putting green or in the general area. If there is none, use the point of maximum available relief, again on the green or in the general area.

Penalty area: Rule 16.1 does not apply; the only relief is under the penalty area Rule.

Playing from a wrong place in breach of Rule 16.1 is the general penalty.