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It’s
really simple, yet often done incorrectly.
Rule 20-2a states that “A ball to be dropped under
the Rules must be dropped by the player himself. He must
stand erect, hold the ball at shoulder height and arm’s
length and drop it. If a ball is dropped by any other
person or in any other manner and the error is not
corrected as provided in Rule 20-6, the player incurs a
penalty of one stroke.”
First of all, the player himself must drop it. Neither
his caddie, nor his partner or his partner’s caddie or
anyone else can drop it. If anyone other than the player
himself drops the ball, it is a one stroke penalty and
the ball is in play.
Secondly, three conditions must be met by the person
dropping the ball in order for a drop to conform with
the Rules:
 1. He must stand erect -
No squatting down or bending over at the waist.
2. The ball must be held at shoulder height - Not at
your knees so it doesn’t plug in the bunker or above
your head so that it bounces and rolls more than two
club lengths.
3. The ball must be held at arm’s length - No more over
the shoulder; that started in 1908 and disappeared from
the Rules in 1984.
You may face any direction you wish and hold the ball in
front or to the side. As long as the three conditions
above are met.
As mentioned earlier, if
the ball is dropped by any other person or in any other
manner, you still have a chance to correct your error.
This is one of the few times in the Rules of Golf that
give you a “do over” without incurring a penalty and is
covered by Rule 20-6.
Rule 20-6 states that “A ball incorrectly substituted,
dropped or placed in a wrong place or otherwise not in
accordance with the Rules but not played may be lifted,
without penalty, and the player must then proceed
correctly. This Rule is sometimes referred to as the
“Eraser Rule.”
Please note two things:
1. The ball when dropped,
even though incorrectly, is in play and you can still
incur a penalty. Suppose, after dropping incorrectly,
you address the ball and your ball moves; you incur a
penalty stroke and you must replace your ball. Under the
“Eraser Rule” you are allowed to lift the ball and
proceed correctly but the one stroke penalty for your
ball moving after address stays with you. The penalty
for dropping incorrectly is erased.
2. You have the opportunity to lift the incorrectly
dropped ball as long as you have not made a stroke at
it. Once you make a stroke at it, the statute of
limitations runs out and you’re stuck with the penalty!
Remember, dropping the ball is simple if you just follow
the Rules of Golf. Knowing the Rules can help you save
strokes and enjoy the game of golf.
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