Summary of Local Rule F-10 (Animal Damage) Key takeaway: If animal damage affects your lie or swing, you get free relief. If it affects only your stance, you do not. What the Rule Means for You When you’re playing in the general area, any damage caused by animals—like holes, scrapes, tracks, or torn-up turf—is treated as ground under repair. That means you can usually take free relief under Rule 16.1b. But there’s one important exception: If the animal damage affects only your stance, you must play the ball as it lies. You only get relief when the damage affects: • The lie of your ball, or • Your area of intended swing Not when: • Only your feet are standing in the damaged area How to Take Relief (When Allowed) If the lie or swing is affected: 1. Find the nearest point of complete relief not nearer the hole. 2. Drop within one club-length of that point. 3. Play on.