What happens if my dropped ball stays in the relief area?

Yes, the ball is in play. If you dropped it the right way and it comes to rest anywhere inside the relief area — even in a bush or a terrible lie — you play it as it lies with no penalty (Rule 14.3c).

When the drop is good and the ball stays

Rule 14.3c only applies after you've dropped correctly: from knee height, straight down, by you, and the ball first hits the ground inside the relief area. Once those boxes are ticked, where the ball stops decides everything. If it stops inside the relief area, the ball is in play. You do not drop again, you do not place it, and there is no penalty.

Bad lies, bushes, and tall grass count

The relief area includes everything growing in it — long grass, bushes, trees, even a no-play zone if that zone falls inside the relief area. Interpretation 14.3c/1 makes this explicit: a ball that settles in a bush in the relief area has come to rest in the relief area. You must play it or take unplayable-ball relief; you cannot re-drop just because the lie is awful.

If it rolls out, you drop again — twice max

When a correctly dropped ball comes to rest outside the relief area, you drop a second time. If that second drop also finishes outside, you stop dropping. You then place a ball on the spot where the second drop first touched the ground (or the bush, if it hit that first). If the placed ball won't stay after two tries, you place it at the nearest spot not nearer the hole where it will stay (Rule 14.3c(2) and Interpretation 14.3c(2)/1).

Exceptions that change the answer

• The ball comes to rest in a no-play zone that is inside the relief area → The ball is in play in the no-play zone, but you must then take relief under the Rule that governs that no-play zone (e.g., Rule 16.1f for an abnormal course condition).
• The placed ball (after two drops outside) will not stay on the required spot after two attempts → You place it on the nearest spot not nearer the hole where it will stay at rest, still within the relief area.

Frequently asked questions

My ball landed in a bush inside the relief area. Do I have to drop again?

No. The bush is part of the relief area, so the ball has come to rest in the relief area. It is in play — play it as it lies or declare it unplayable.

I dropped correctly but the ball rolled out of the relief area. What now?

Drop a second time. If that drop also finishes outside, you place a ball where the second drop first touched the ground (or bush).

Can I drop in a no-play zone on purpose?

Yes, if the no-play zone lies inside your relief area. But once the ball comes to rest there, you must take relief under the Rule that applies to that no-play zone.

What if the spot where I have to place the ball is on a bush branch?

The 'ground' includes the bush. You try to place the ball where it first struck the bush. If it won't stay after two tries, place it at the nearest spot not nearer the hole where it will stay.

Does a drop that hits my foot first count as 'dropped in the right way'?

No. The ball must not touch you or your equipment before hitting the ground. That drop is wrong — re-drop with no penalty, and it doesn't count toward your two-drop limit.