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Rule 14.3

Reference point

Also searched as: where to measure from, measuring relief

The point from which you measure the relief area of one or two club-lengths.

The reference point differs depending on the relief you take:

  • Free relief, for example from a cart path or ground under repair: the nearest point of complete relief.
  • Lateral relief from a red penalty area: the point where the ball last crossed the edge. For an unplayable ball: the spot of the ball.
  • Back-on-the-line relief: the spot on the line where the dropped ball first touches the ground. You decide how far back that is.
  • Stroke and distance: the spot where you made your previous stroke.
  • Embedded ball: the spot right behind the ball.