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My ball is embedded in its own pitch-mark in the general area. May I lift, clean

{"status":"advice","headline":"NO PENALTY | Embedded ball relief may be available","action":"You may lift, clean, and drop the ball without penalty if it is embedded in its own pitch-mark in the general area and the relief is not excluded by a Local Rule or an area where relief is not allowed.","rule":"Rule 16.3","rule_code":"Rule 16.3","rule_title":"Embedded ball","rule_summary":"When a player’s ball is embedded in the general area, free relief is generally allowed. The player may lift and clean the ball, then drop it within one club-length of the spot right behind where it was embedded, no nearer the hole, and it must remain in the general area.","penalty_strokes":0,"situation":"Your ball is in the general area and embedded in its own pitch-mark.","options":[{"id":"free_relief","text":"Take embedded ball relief.","penalty":0,"procedure":"Mark the spot if needed, lift and clean the ball, identify the reference point immediately behind where the ball was embedded, then drop the original ball or another ball within one club-length of that reference point, no nearer the hole,"},{"id":"play_as_lies","text":"Play the ball as it lies.","penalty":0,"procedure":"You may choose to play the embedded ball without taking relief."}],"suggestion":"Before lifting, it is wise to announce you are taking embedded ball relief and mark the spot to avoid disputes.","procedure":"Drop the original ball or another ball in the relief area: one club-length from the spot right behind where the ball was embedded, no nearer the hole, and in the general area.","branches":[],"clarifying_question":null,"answer_options":[],"clarifying_questions":[],"disclaimer":"This is golf-rules guidance, not an official ruling — the final decision belongs to the Committee or event authority."}