How to Decide When to Take a Drop in Golf

That golf shot you just hit was terrible. If you can even locate your ball, chances are it is in the water, out of bounds or behind a large tree. You may wonder when it is acceptable to take a drop. There are many common situations and reasons for taking a drop during your next golf match.

Instructions

1. Take a drop if your ball lands in a water hazard and you can't hit it easily. Red or yellow stakes or lines designate water hazards, although such markers are probably unnecessary, since ponds, streams and lakes are usually quite visible. It is permissible to hit your ball out of a water hazard if such a feat is possible. However, this is usually difficult and counter-productive.

2. Mark the scorecard with an extra stroke if your ball goes out of bounds. White stakes or lines denote boundaries on golf courses. If your ball does go out of bounds, this drop situation requires that you return to the spot of your original shot and hit the ball again.

3. Consider a drop if your ball lands in such an area where hitting the ball is impossible or would severely damage your clubs. Examples include when the ball lands between two large rocks or in the back of a passing golf cart.

4. Add another stroke to your scorecard if you lose your ball. A drop may be necessary if you simply lose sight of your ball or you can't find exactly where it landed. This may occur in areas with extremely high rough, bushy vegetation or spongy, muddy ground.

5. Use a drop if your ball lands on a cart path if the path is made of cement, tar, planks, gravel or wood chips (sand and dirt paths do not apply). You may drop the ball without penalty within one club-length of the path as long as you do not move any closer to the hole.