Back-on-the-line relief: dropping behind your ball

Back-on-the-line relief (Rule 19.2b) lets you drop behind your ball on a straight line from the hole through the ball's spot. The dropped ball creates a one club-length relief area — if it rolls out, the two-drop-then-place procedure under Rule 14.3c(2) kicks in. One penalty stroke, no distance limit.

How back-on-the-line relief works

You find the spot of your original ball — that's your reference point. Then you go back on a straight line from the hole through that spot, as far as you want. Drop the ball anywhere on that line. Where it first hits the ground becomes the center of a one club-length relief area. The ball must stay in that area and can't end up closer to the hole than your original spot.

What the relief area looks like

The relief area is a circle one club-length in every direction from where your dropped ball first touches the ground. It can be in any part of the course — fairway, rough, bunker, even a penalty area — but the ball has to come to rest in the same type of area where it first landed. If it rolls into a different area, you re-drop.

When you can and can't use this option

You need to know exactly where your original ball is. If you can't find it, back-on-the-line isn't an option — you'd have to go stroke-and-distance instead. Also, once you drop and the ball stays in the relief area, that's your new lie. If you don't like it, your only choice is to take unplayable ball relief again for another penalty stroke. If there's any doubt about the correct reference point, relief area, or whether the ball is in play, you can ask a referee for a ruling — their decision is final during the round.

Exceptions that change the answer

• You lift your ball to take unplayable relief and then discover it was in ground under repair → You can take free relief under Rule 16.1 instead, as long as you haven't put a ball in play under Rule 19 yet.
• Your dropped ball rolls into a no-play zone or onto a wrong green → You must take the required relief from that no-play zone or wrong green, which may mean dropping again.
• You take back-on-the-line relief from a bunker and want to drop outside it → That's allowed under Rule 19.3b, but it costs two penalty strokes instead of one. See the full breakdown of extra relief outside a bunker for two penalty strokes.

Frequently asked questions

How far back can I go on the line?

As far as you want — there's no distance limit. Just keep the original ball spot between you and the hole.

Can I drop in a bunker or penalty area using this option?

Yes. You can drop in any area of the course, but the ball must come to rest in the same type of area where it first touched the ground.

What if my ball rolls closer to the hole after I drop?

If it rolls closer to the hole than your original ball spot, it's outside the relief area — pick it up and re-drop.

Do I have to use the same ball?

No. You can use the original ball or another ball — your choice.

What happens if I drop and the ball stays in the relief area but I hate the lie?

Tough luck — that's your new situation. If you want relief again, it's another penalty stroke and you pick any option under Rule 19.