With respect to Ask Linda #762-Position of feet during drop, I
don't think you get 2 club lengths from where a dropped ball hits the ground. For
instance, if I take relief from a cart path, I find my nearest point of relief
(not closer to the hole), sole my club there, and then drop my club forward,
further from the path, but along the same line (no nearer to the hole). I then
try to drop near the edge of that 1-club free relief to get as close as I can
to the edge of the relief, but if the ball rolls beyond that 1-club relief
point, I need to re-drop, right?...and then if it hits and rolls past that mark
again on the re-drop, I place the ball where it hit the ground...isn't this
right under the rules?
Lou
Dear Lou,
No, it’s not right, Lou, and I’m very glad you asked this
question. There is widespread misunderstanding of how far a dropped ball may
roll, and I appreciate the opportunity to clear up this matter.
The Rule is the same regardless of whether you are taking a
two-club-length relief (e.g., unplayable ball, lateral water hazard) or a
nearest-point-of-relief-one-club-length relief (e.g., immovable obstruction,
abnormal ground condition). Once you establish the area in which you must drop
your ball, the ball must hit the ground
in that designated area. However, it need
not remain in that area. After it
hits the ground, it may come to rest as much as two club-lengths away from the
spot where it hit the ground [Rule 20-2c (vi)]. (There are other
restrictions on where the ball may not come to rest, such as out of bounds,
into or out of a hazard, closer to the hole than its original position – for a complete list see Rule
20-2c.)
Let’s take a look at a ball that is unplayable in the roots
of a tree. After the player measures his two-club-length relief, he may drop
the ball at the very edge of that area. If the ball rolls out of the area (no
closer to the hole) almost two full club-lengths, the player is now practically four
club-lengths away from where his ball lay amongst the roots. This is a good
drop, and is in play. You may not re-drop this ball, and will incur a penalty
under Rule 18-2a if you do.
The same principle is in effect when you take relief from an
immovable obstruction, such as a cart path. After your ball hits the ground in
the correct dropping area, it may roll outside, but will still be a good drop
under the Rules if it does not settle more than two club-lengths from where it
hit the ground. If you pick up this ball, you are lifting your ball in play and
will incur a penalty under Rule 18-2a.
I’m confused by your use of the word “forward,” where you say
“(I) drop my club forward, further from the path.” Since most cart paths are located
at the edge of the fairway or in the rough, you must angle your club away from the hole when you measure
your one-club-length relief so as not to drop closer to the hole.
This would be a good time for everyone to take a moment to
become familiar with Rule 20-2, which explains who must drop the ball, how and
where to drop it, and when to re-drop.
Linda
Copyright © 2013 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
