First Common Mistake - Golfers often drop two club lengths from the edge of whatever bush or problem they happen to be in. You are allowed to drop two club lengths from where your ball lies - but not closer.

Second Common Mistake - Golfers often forget the option provided in Rule 28 that allows them to drop a ball as far back as they like on a straight line drawn from the flagstick back through their ball's position.

Remember - you never go back and drop on the line of flight.

Rule 28

If the player deems his ball to be unplayable, he must under penalty of one stroke:

1. Play from the spot from
which the original ball
was last played; or

2. Drop behind the point where
the ball lies, keep that point
between the ball and the
hole with no limit to how far
behind that point the ball
may be dropped; or

3. Drop within two club-
lengths of where the ball
lies, not nearer the hole.

If the unplayable ball is in a bunker, the player may proceed under 1, 2, or 3. If the player elects 2 or 3, a ball must be dropped in the bunker.

To view or print a summary of this Rule for club postings, click here.