Ask the Ref: Am I allowed to prefer my lie in a dropping zone?

I dropped my ball in a poor lie in a dropping zone on a fairway. Would I then be allowed to prefer my lie given preferred lies were in operation at my club?

Yes!

When using the dropping zone, you are using a rule that offers this as an optional or mandatory relief option from one of several possible conditions eg an abnormal course condition, a penalty area, wrong green etc.

If the dropping zone is on the fairway, once the ball has been dropped under the applicable Rule and is back in play, the player may then use the preferred lies local rule to lift the ball and place it (usually within 6 inches of its original spot), no nearer the hole. Thus, giving you the option to find the best available lie.

If the dropping zone is not on the fairway, once the ball has been dropped under the applicable Rule and the ball is back in play, you must play the ball as it lies, as the preferred lies rule is not applicable in this area of the course.

Whenever you are going to drop a ball under a Rule, you should assess the relief area to select a spot that offers the best lie for your ball. Clearly, if dropping zones are being used, they tend to get a lot of wear and can have some very sketchy areas. The number of times I have seen a player drop their ball and moan when it ends up in a divot. Perhaps, take a little more care over selecting your drop location, you could save yourselves from a horrible lie!

By Sheila Waltham

About the author

Sheila Waltham has been a qualified rules official for over 15 years. She joined the England Golf Tournament Panel of Referees in 2019. A keen golfer since 1995. Sheila’s interest in the Rules was born out of the realisation that a lot of the information she received as a novice golfer was incorrect. So, she took matters into her own hands!

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For further information refer to the R&A Rules of Golf.