How & Where to Drop a Golf Ball

How & Where to Drop a Golf Ball is a short golf blog post highlighting the correct procedure on how to take a drop on the golf course. Play the ball as it lies, was and still, is the golden rule in golf. But what happens when we can’t play the ball as it lies? Well, there are several options, but the one I will concentrate on this week is dropping the ball. But how should a golfer drop the ball? Under rule 14 of the Rules of Golf is the following section. Rule 14.3b – Ball Must Be Dropped in Right Way The player must drop a ball in the right way, which means meeting all the requirements in (1), (2) and (3): (1) Player Must Drop Ball. The ball must be dropped only by the player. Neither the player’s caddie nor anyone else may do so. (2) The Ball Must Be Dropped Straight Down from Knee Height Without Touching the Player or Equipment. The player must let go of the ball from a location at knee height so that the ball: Falls straight down, without the player throwing, spinning or rolling it or using any other motion that might affect where the ball will come to rest, and Does not touch any part of the player’s body or equipment before it hits the ground. “Knee height” means the height of the player’s knee when in a standing position. 14.3c – The Ball Must Be Dropped In and Come To Rest In The Relief Area. The relief area is measured by marking a spot, usually with a tee peg and then measuring a club length on either side of the tee but not closer to the hole. This creates a semi-circle area otherwise known as the relief area. (See image below) Check out more Rules of Golf by clicking here. What are your thoughts on How To Drop a Golf Ball? Please leave a comment by filling out a Contact Form. To read more of my golf blog posts, click here.