Definition: An "abnormal ground condition" is any of several conditions that, when they exist and your golf ball is affected by them, entitle the player to relief. Abnormal ground conditions include casual water, ground under repair and holes made by burrowing animals (e.g., gopher hole or snake hole).
Holes dug by the greenkeeper are considered ground under repair even if they are not marked as such. A few things that are not considered abnormal ground conditions: dew or frost; a hole dug by an animal that is not a burrowing animal, unless so declared by the local committee; grass clippings.
You cannot cite the abnormal ground conditions rule to take free relief if your ball is in a water hazard or lateral water hazard.
