The Rules
Rather than a reference point determining the relief area , a player must now drop the ball on the line . Where the ball hits the ground determines a one club-length relief area .
In 2019 , the Rules of Golf underwent a total overhaul and consolidation , creating the 24 Rules that were in effect from 2019-22 . Rule 25 , which covers adaptive golf and modifications for players with disabilities , was added in 2023 .
An amended set of Rules is released every four years , and though the changes from 2019 to 2023 were not quite as substantive as the changes from 2015 to 2019 , there are still some differences to note .
One such instance involves back-onthe-line relief , and specifically , the relief area created when that option is chosen .
When might you utilize back-of-the-line relief ? It ’ s one of the options offered under the following Rules :
• When taking relief from either a red or yellow penalty area under Rule 17.1d ( 2 ). For one penalty stroke , you may take back-of-theline relief by dropping a ball outside of the penalty area , keeping point X ( the reference point created by where the ball last crossed the edge of the penalty area ) between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped .
• When taking unplayable ball relief under Rule 19.2b .
• When taking relief from an abnormal course condition in a bunker under Rule 16 . c ( 2 ). For one penalty stroke , a player may drop a ball outside a bunker utilizing back-on-the-line relief .
In 2019 , back-of-the-line relief involved a player dropping the original ball or another ball in a relief area that was created prior to the player dropping the ball . A player would choose a point on the line as their reference point , with no limit on how far back on the line they went , but it
Why the change ? The name of the option is “ backon-the-line ,” so players should be expected to drop on the actual line , instead of choosing a spot near the line .
could not be closer to the hole . The rule stated that the player should indicate the point by using an object , such as a tee .
Once the reference point was determined , this would create a one clublength relief area . The player would drop a ball anywhere in this relief area and as long as it first touched and stayed in the relief area , they had completed the dropping process correctly .
In hopes of simplifying this process , the procedure was amended for the 2023 Rules . Now , rather than a reference point determining the relief area , the player must drop the ball on the line , and where that ball hits the ground creates the one club-length relief area . What if you drop the ball and it rolls a foot forward , closer to the hole ? No problem , as long as the ball comes to rest within a club-length of where the ball was originally dropped on the line , no matter the direction .
The same limits on the location of the relief area remain . It must not be nearer the hole than the spot of the original ball ; it may be in any area of the course ; but it must be in the same area of the course that the ball first touched when dropped .
Why the change ? The name of the option is “ back-on-the-line ,” so players should be expected to drop on the actual line , instead of choosing a spot near the line . But to keep in the spirit of all of the other dropping procedures , a relief area is included since the chances of the ball staying on the actual line every time you use the option are slim .
Previously , a drop could be taken anywhere within one club length of the line , but if the ball rolled forward it would have to be re-dropped . Essentially , the guesswork is taken out of the drop . Just keep it within a club-length in any direction and play on .
USGA DIGITAL ARCHIVES
Check out this video from the USGA to learn more about the back-on-the-line relief rule .
vsga . org M AY / J UNE 2023 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 15