Dropping in the Rough

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I am taking a drop in the rough. Most places I could drop it look very horrid. But I notice that there is a spot where the rough is nicely flattened towards the green and I conclude that if I drop onto it, my ball will most probably bounce forward and closer to the hole. And so it does. And it does when I re-drop - so I can place my ball on this nice piece of flattened rough and have a lovely lie and a clean strike of the ball.

All OK?

 

[Val]

I see no reason why it shouldn't given what you have told us

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I see no reason why it shouldn't given what you have told us

I've thinking it's fine - just a deliberate use of the rules to your advantage - so checking that you are not doing something deliberate akin to deliberately breaking a rule to gain advantage

 

[BTatHome]

Assuming that you fulfilled the clauses in the rule that allowed the drop (ie Nearest point of relief, no nearer the hole) then it would acceptable.

 

[guest100718]

I had a drop while back that I knew would kick my ball out to a better lie. Thems the breaks.

 

[chrisd]

The rules hurt you enough so why wouldn't you use them to your advantage

 

[Fyldewhite]

When I try do this the ball usually defies the laws of physics and manages to bury itself!!

Just to expand on the same theme........Had a situation similar with casual water the other day where my fellow competitor could have dropped quite close in such a way that the ball would have rolled back in and ended up being able to place it if it happened again. I would definitely have done this as the area of the drop was quite tufty rough. Question is, would it be advice to tell him he could do this?

The definition of advice says ""Advice" is any counsel or suggestion that could influence a player in determining his play, the choice of a club or the method of making a stroke.". So, does "determining his play" cover where to drop or only how to play a stroke?

 

[BTatHome]

Most drops are to your nearest point of relief, so choices don't really come into it that much.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Most drops are to your nearest point of relief, so choices don't really come into it that much.

Can do - one club length not nearer the hole - an area of about 1.3m**2 in which to drop.

 

[pogle]

I am taking a drop in the rough. Most places I could drop it look very horrid. But I notice that there is a spot where the rough is nicely flattened towards the green and I conclude that if I drop onto it, my ball will most probably bounce forward and closer to the hole. And so it does. And it does when I re-drop - so I can place my ball on this nice piece of flattened rough and have a lovely lie and a clean strike of the ball.

All OK?

It depends where your reference point for taking the drop is. If you're dropping from an immovable obstruction / abnormal ground condition then the reference point is the NPR so they ball must come to rest nearer to the hole than that point to require a re-drop. If you're taking an unplayable then it's the point where the ball was before being lifted; if you're taking a drop from a water hazard then the reference point is where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

It depends where your reference point for taking the drop is. If you're dropping from an immovable obstruction / abnormal ground condition then the reference point is the NPR so they ball must come to rest nearer to the hole than that point to require a re-drop. If you're taking an unplayable then it's the point where the ball was before being lifted; if you're taking a drop from a water hazard then the reference point is where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard.

Not differentiating as not concerned about the circumstances that have led to taking the drop. Only questioning the drop itself and deliberately 'ensuring' as far as I can that sthe ball will bounce towards the hoel and then redrop the same - so then place very advantageously.

 

[pogle]

Not differentiating as not concerned about the circumstances that have led to taking the drop. Only questioning the drop itself and deliberately 'ensuring' as far as I can that sthe ball will bounce towards the hoel and then redrop the same - so then place very advantageously.

I was attempting to point out that just bouncing towards the hole isn't enough to justify re-dropping and then placing. Having to re-drop is dependent on the reference point for the drop, not the spot where the ball strikes the ground when dropped.

 

[Foxholer]

I am taking a drop in the rough. Most places I could drop it look very horrid. But I notice that there is a spot where the rough is nicely flattened towards the green and I conclude that if I drop onto it, my ball will most probably bounce forward and closer to the hole. And so it does. And it does when I re-drop - so I can place my ball on this nice piece of flattened rough and have a lovely lie and a clean strike of the ball.

All OK?

Absolutely fine!

 

[williamalex1]

Just out of interest, what was your reason for taking a drop in the rough? .

 

[Maninblack4612]

Most drops are to your nearest point of relief, so choices don't really come into it that much.

Drops under penalty aren't NPR, they're 2 club lengths, not nearer the hole.

 

[williamalex1]

Drops under penalty aren't NPR, they're 2 club lengths, not nearer the hole.

Or declare it unplayable, stroke and distance.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I have always thought that no matter the circumstance under which you are taking a drop - if the ball ends up closer to the hole after correctly hitting the ground then you re-drop - and if it ends up again closer then you place?

The specific circumstance that raised the question in my mind was a simple one of taking a penalty drop from the ball being unplayable in a bush. And having to drop in the rough surrounding it.

 

[williamalex1]

I have always thought that no matter the circumstance under which you are taking a drop - if the ball ends up closer to the hole after correctly hitting the ground then you re-drop - and if it ends up again closer then you place?

The specific circumstance that raised the question in my mind was a simple one of taking a penalty drop from the ball being unplayable in a bush. And having to drop in the rough surrounding it.

Good point, but if you take a unplayable drop say 10 yards further back inline from the bush. and the ball happens to bounce a yard nearer the hole , does it really matter as its still not nearer than the original point of relief taken.

 

[rulefan]

It may also bounce nearer the hole if a dropping zone is being used.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Good point, but if you take a unplayable drop say 10 yards further back inline from the bush. and the ball happens to bounce a yard nearer the hole , does it really matter as its still not nearer than the original point of relief taken.

Quite right - I should have been more precise and said that after being dropped the ball finished closer to the hole than it's original position or the NPR. The NPR could be further from the hole than the ball's original position but the rule says that if the ball is dropped relative to the NPR then the NPR is the reference point for 'nearer the hole', and the ball's original position becomes irrelevant.