If a player's ball is lost in temporary water, which rule provides relief?

When a player's ball is lost in temporary water, the appropriate rule that provides relief is the one concerning abnormal course conditions. Temporary water, which is defined as any temporary accumulation of water that can interfere with a player's ability to make a stroke, falls under this category. Rule 16.1 specifically addresses relief from these abnormal conditions, allowing players to take free relief when their ball is in or interfered with by such conditions.

The player is allowed to drop a ball in a designated relief area without penalty, ensuring that they can continue play without the hindrances caused by the water. This relief option is crucial for maintaining fairness in the game, as conditions such as temporary water can disrupt play significantly.

Other options, while related to different situations on the course, do not apply in this circumstance. For example, the rule regarding a lost ball pertains to situations where the ball is not retrievable, and the rule about playing the ball as it lies does not offer any relief for conditions that clearly obstruct play. The ball search rule relates to efforts made to find a ball before it is determined to be lost, which is not relevant when the ball is already established as being in temporary water.