The player must drop the ball straight down from knee height without throwing, spinning or rolling it. It must first strike the ground in the relief area and must come to rest there. If it rolls outside, drop again; if the second drop also rolls out, place the ball where that second drop first touched the ground.
Before dropping, identify the correct reference point, size and limits of the relief area for the rule being used.
The correct method
- 01
Stand inside or outside the relief area.
- 02
Hold the ball at the height your knee would have when standing upright.
- 03
Let it fall straight down without touching you or equipment before it hits the ground.
- 04
Make sure it first lands and then finishes in the relief area.
When to drop again
Drop again if the ball was dropped in a wrong way, first touched the ground outside the relief area or came to rest outside it. A ball accidentally touching you or equipment after striking the ground is normally acceptable if it still rests in the area and the contact was not deliberate.
When to place instead
After a correct second drop that again finishes outside the relief area, place a ball on the spot where that second drop first touched the ground. If it will not stay after two attempts, find the nearest spot no nearer the hole where it will remain at rest.
The essential point
Define the relief area first, drop from knee height and check where the ball finishes. Two unsuccessful correct drops lead to placing, not a third drop.
Sources
The following official or specialist sources were used to verify this independently written guide.
- The R&A – official guidance Source used to verify the rules or factual information in this guide.
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