The CTGA Embedded Rock Rule was approved by member vote to prevent personal injury and/or golf club damage from rocks embedded in the ground that cannot be moved away as Loose Impediment.

In the spirit of this CTGA specific rule and in the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play, if it is determined that your ball has come to rest on or within striking distance of an embedded rock and you request relief away from the rock, the following steps must be followed:

• You must get concurrence from at least two (2) players in your 4-some before taking relief;
• You may clean the ball when taking relief from an embedded rock;
• The allowable relief distance must be in accordance with Rule 24-2. Immovable Obstruction.
  • Place a tee at the spot where your original ball lies;
  • Use a club to determine 1 club length distance away from the embedded rock, no closer to the hole, and place a 2nd tee at the end of the club;
  • Your ball must be dropped within the two tees;
  • See USGA Rule 20-2 for redropping criteria and procedures.
• Again, in the spirit of fair play, you may not take additional relief that could improve your stance or swing away from trees, bushes, etc.

Embedded Rock relief does not apply within a marked hazard. If you elect to take relief from rocks within a hazard area, you must declare the ball unplayable and take relief as specified by Rule 28. Ball Unplayable.

Loose Impediment (Rule 23) is not considered embedded and may be moved at your discretion, realizing that if the ball moves as a result of moving the loose impediment, a penalty of one stroke is incurred in accordance with Rule 18-2. Ball At Rest Moved by Player.

Revised January 12, 2008.