W.W.G.S.
2019 R&A Rules of Golf
Click on the links in bold below for a full explanation of each rule
2 - Taking Relief
Size of Relief Area & Where Ball Must Be DroppedYour relief area for dropping a ball is a fixed size of either one or two club-lengths using the longest club in your bag, other than your putter.
New Procedure for Dropping a BallYour ball must be let go from knee height and fall through the air without touching any part of your body or equipment.
Where a Dropped Ball Must Come to RestYour ball must come to rest in the relief area where it was dropped, or else it must be redropped.
Fixed Distances to be Used for MeasuringA fixed distance of the longest club in your bag, other than your putter, is used for measuring.
Time For Search Before Ball is LostYour ball is lost if not found within three minutes (rather than the previous five minutes).
Substitution of Ball When Taking ReliefYou may always substitute a ball when taking relief.
Relief For an Embedded BallRelief allowed without penalty for an embedded ball anywhere (except in sand) in the “general area” (a new term for “through the green”).
Procedure for Taking Lateral ReliefIn taking lateral relief, drop within two club-lengths of where your ball entered the penalty area. The size of a club-length is always measured using the longest club in your bag, other than your putter.
Procedure for Taking Back-on-the-Line ReliefOne of your options for relief from either a red or yellow penalty area is called back-on-the-line relief.