The Rules
THERE ARE NO REQUIREMENTS ON WHERE
YOU MUST STAND, BUT THE BALL
MUST BE DROPPED IN THE RELIEF AREA.
NOTE: The relief area is determined based on the specific Rule
being applied and is generally determined by measuring either
one or two club-lengths from a reference point.
spot a second time. If it still will not stay
on that spot, you must place a ball on the
nearest spot where the ball will stay at
rest (see Rule 14.2e for limits depending
on where the original spot is located).
You must drop the ball from knee
height without using any motion
that might affect its resting place.
and there is no limit to the number of
times you must do so. you will use your driver to measure your
relief area.
WHAT IS A RELIEF AREA?
A relief area is a specific area where you
must drop a ball when taking relief under
a Rule. Each time you drop a ball, you will
be dropping into a relief area. The size and
location of the relief area is determined
based on the specific Rule being applied
and is generally determined by measuring
either one or two club-lengths from a
reference point, depending on which Rule
you are applying. Note: “Club-length” is
now defined as the longest club of the 14
(or fewer) clubs you have during the round,
other than a putter. So, more than likely, WHEN HAVE YOU COMPLETED
TAKING RELIEF?
You have only completed taking relief
when your ball, dropped in the right way,
comes to rest in the relief area. If you drop
the ball the right way and it comes to rest
outside of the relief area, you must drop
a ball the right way a second time. If that
ball comes to rest outside of the relief
area, you must then place a ball on the
spot where the ball dropped a second time
first touched the ground in the relief area.
If the placed ball does not stay at rest
on that spot, you must place a ball on that
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WHAT IS THE PENALTY FOR NOT
DROPPING CORRECTLY?
If you drop the ball the wrong way (i.e.
from shoulder height instead of knee
height), but play from the relief area, you
will get one penalty stroke for not follow-
ing the correct procedure.
If you play from outside the relief area,
or if you place the ball when you were
required to drop it (regardless of where
you play from), you get the general pen-
alty (loss of hole in match play or two
penalty strokes in stroke play).
Although the dropping procedure has
been simplified, it is different from what
we’ve all been used to. Be sure to be com-
fortable with it before heading to the
course this year because failing to follow
it could result in a penalty.
Josh Coates is the VSGA’s Director of
Rules and Competitions.
J A N UA RY / F E B R UA RY 2 0 19 | V I R G I N I A G O L F E R
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