club-length relief in either direction from that point to drop the ball, but it must not be closer to the hole and must stay in the general area. One distinction that many golfers may not realize is that a ball is embedded if it is below the level of the ground, even if the ball is not touching the soil. This was the scenario for Rory McIlroy, when he was granted relief last month at the U.S. Open. The major golf associations, the USGA, the PGA of America, The R&A could avoid this controversy in the future. Under Model Local Rule (MLR) F-2.1, the Committee can restrict embedded ball relief to only be granted when a ball is embedded in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less. In the situations referenced above, those players would have had to play from their spot or chose a different option to get out of their unfortunate scenario. Will they change it for next year? It would shock me if these associations implemented this MLR, but they do have the option. Know the Rules of Golf. They are there to help you and make the game more enjoyable for everyone.
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