Temporary Water
Temporary water is water on the course that is only there temporarily, for example after rain — it is one of the abnormal course conditions and entitles you to free relief.
Temporary water is the official term of the Rules of Golf for what used to be called Casual Water. It means puddles and accumulations of water that are not part of a genuine Water Hazard: rainwater on the Fairway, an overflowing drain, a puddle in the Rough. The condition also applies when the ball itself is not lying in the water but you would have to stand with your feet in the water to play it. Relief is free of charge — in contrast to the rules for penalty areas marked red or yellow.
In practice, relief works as with the free drop. An example: after overnight rain your ball lies in the middle of the fairway in a puddle ten centimetres deep. You look for the nearest point where neither ball nor stance is affected by the water, measure one club-length from there — not nearer the hole — and drop within that area. It costs no penalty stroke, only a minute of time. If the ball lies on the Green, you place it instead at the nearest point of complete relief.
A typical mistake is dropping at the most convenient spot instead of at the nearest point. The rule requires the nearest point of complete relief, even if that means a worse lie. Another favourite: confusing it with the penalty area — if the water is inside a marked area, that area's rules apply, and with them a Penalty Stroke. The details of relief from abnormal course conditions are summarised in Rule 16 of the official Rules of Golf.
FAQ
Do I get relief even if my ball is not lying in the water?
Yes, what matters is not only the ball's position but also your stance. If you would have to stand with your feet in the puddle to play the ball, the condition applies as well. You may then drop free of penalty at the nearest dry point — the free drop covers the details.
How do I find the right drop point with temporary water?
Look for the nearest point where neither ball nor stance touches the water — not the most convenient one. From there measure one club-length without moving nearer the hole and drop within that area. If the ball lies on the green, you place it instead at the nearest point of complete relief.
What is the difference between temporary water and a penalty area?
Temporary water is a puddle without markings and costs you no stroke. If the water, on the other hand, is inside a water hazard marked red or yellow, that area's rules apply with a penalty stroke. So always check first whether there are markings or stakes.