Question: When I take a drop, how exactly am I supposed to do it?
Answer: Under the current Rules of Golf, a drop must be taken from knee height. That means:
- Stand straight
- Hold the ball at knee level
- Let it fall straight down (no spinning, tossing, or placing)
If the ball rolls outside the relief area after the drop:
- You are allowed a second drop.
- If it happens again, you must place the ball where it first touched the ground on the second drop.
Common mistakes:
- Dropping from waist height (penalty)
- Raking or smoothing the ground before dropping
- Not ensuring the relief area is properly measured
Proper dropping technique is small but critical — especially in competitive rounds where penalties add up quickly.