How to Take a Drop Correctly

Dropping a Ball (Whether as part of a Penalty or Free Relief)

-              The original ball or a new ball may be used

-              The ball must dropped straight down from knee height

-              The ball must be dropped into a relief area

o   Normally a tee can be used to determine the point of relief and then a club length (Driver suggested) is used to designate an area one club length (free relief) or two club lengths (red penalty relief) away. The shape of the relief area for free relief is usually a quarter circle.

o   The ball must land and stay in the relief area for the drop to be valid

§  If the ball does not land in the relief area, it must be re-dropped

§  If the ball lands in the relief area and rolls out, it must be re-dropped

§  If the ball lands in the relief area twice and rolls out twice, it is placed on the spot where it hit on the second drop (so, try to pick a nice spot as you don’t get to place if wherever you want).

o   Note for taking the line of sight penalty (yellow or red), the ball must be dropped on the line extending back from the pin through the point of entry.  The relief area in such a scenario is a full circle (i.e. the ball can move closer to the hole since anything on the line is valid).

o   One the ball is dropped, you must play it as it lies.  You can’t improve your lie, even if hitting from a drop area.