Golf Ball Dropping Rules: The 2023 Update You Need to Know

Golf's dropping procedure changed significantly in the 2019 rules revision — and many golfers are still using the old method. Under the current rules, you drop from knee height (not shoulder height), and there are clear criteria for when a dropped ball must be re-dropped. Here's the complete updated guide.

Drop From Knee Height

Since 2019, you must drop from knee height — the ball must be released from a height at or below the knee of the person dropping. The old shoulder-height drop created too much variability in where the ball came to rest. Knee height creates more consistent drops while still allowing some randomness.

Key Rule: Kneel if needed to be precise — dropping from exactly knee height is important in competition.

Drop Within the Relief Area

A drop must land within the designated relief area (the area within which you're entitled to take relief). If the ball lands outside the relief area before stopping, or bounces outside the relief area before touching the ground, it must be re-dropped. Counting only where the ball stops, not bounces, was the old rule — now, any touch outside the area requires a re-drop.

Key Rule: The relief area for most situations is within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, no nearer the hole.

When to Re-Drop

Re-drop when the dropped ball: (1) Touches or lands outside the defined relief area. (2) Touches a person or equipment before landing on the course. (3) Comes to rest out of bounds. (4) Comes to rest in a penalty area. (5) Comes to rest on the wrong side of a boundary. After two re-drops, if the ball still doesn't come to rest in the relief area, place it where it first touched the ground.

Key Rule: After two re-drops, you place (don't drop) the ball where it first hit the ground. A placed ball that still moves must be placed again.

Ball Rolls Into Penalty Area After Drop

If a correctly dropped ball (inside the relief area) rolls out of the relief area and into a penalty area or out of bounds, you must re-drop. This prevents the situation where a player drops legally but the terrain sends the ball into worse trouble.

Key Rule: On slopes, sometimes the first and second drops both roll away — after two re-drops, place the ball at the first spot it touched.

Dropping in a Bunker vs Outside

When taking relief from a penalty area or lost ball using the stroke-and-distance, you drop outside the penalty area. For unplayable ball in a bunker, one option keeps you in the bunker (and if the ball rolls to the back of the bunker, you must re-drop within the bunker). Understanding where your ball must land matters.

Key Rule: Re-read the specific unplayable ball options before a competition — they're often confused.

Marking the Ball Before Dropping

When taking any type of relief, you may mark the position of your ball if needed before lifting it. If you need to lift a ball for identification or other reasons before dropping, mark it precisely. The ball that you drop must be the same ball unless a substitution is permitted (e.g., in penalty areas, you can use another ball; for unplayable ball, you can substitute).

Key Rule: When in doubt about substitution rules, play the original ball — substituting when not permitted is a 1-stroke penalty.

Key Takeaways

→ Drop from knee height — not shoulder height (the rule changed in 2019)
→ Ball must land in the relief area — re-drop if it touches outside before stopping
→ After two re-drops, place the ball where it first touched the ground
→ Ball rolling into a penalty area after a legal drop requires a re-drop
→ Marking your ball position before lifting is always allowed

Build the Swing That Stays in Bounds

Good mechanics mean fewer penalty areas, unplayable lies, and drops. GOATY's analysis builds the consistency that keeps you in play — so dropping rules become the exception, not a regular part of your game.

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