How to drop when replaying a shot from a bunker

When a Rule forces you to replay a stroke that was played from a bunker — stroke-and-distance relief, a cancelled stroke, or any other replay scenario — you don't re-tee and you don't place. You drop in a one club-length relief area measured from the spot of the previous stroke, staying in the sand. This page covers the exact procedure under Rule 14.6b, including what to do if the dropped ball rolls out of the relief area.

What the rule says

Rule 14.6b covers any time you have to play again from where your last stroke was made — stroke-and-distance relief, a cancelled stroke, or any other situation that sends you back. If that last stroke came from a bunker (or the general area or a penalty area), you don't re-tee and you don't place. You drop. The reference point is the exact spot you struck the ball from; if you can't be sure, give it your best estimate. From there, measure one club-length, no nearer the hole, and that's your relief area. The ball must come to rest in that area and in the bunker.

Original ball or another ball

You can use the original ball or swap for a different one — either is fine. Just make sure you drop correctly: knee height, straight down, no spin, no rolling the ball into position. If it rolls outside the relief area, drop again; if it happens a second time, place it where it first struck the ground on the second drop. Playing from outside that area, or placing when you should have dropped, gets you the general penalty: two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play.

Common mistakes to avoid

Don't tee the ball up — that's only allowed when your previous stroke was from the teeing area (Rule 14.6a). Don't place the ball — placing is only for the putting green (Rule 14.6c). And don't drop outside the bunker thinking you're taking back-on-the-line relief; that's a different rule entirely. Here, you're replaying the stroke, so you stay in the sand.

Exceptions that change the answer

• Players agree to play out of turn to save time → The player who invited or agreed to the out-of-turn stroke gives up the right to cancel that stroke. This comes from Rule 6.4b and applies in match play and four-ball.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to use the same ball when replaying from a bunker?

No. You may use the original ball or another ball — either is allowed under Rule 14.6.

What if I don't know the exact spot where I hit my last shot from the bunker?

Estimate it as best you can. The Rules accept an honest estimate when the precise spot isn't known.

Can I drop outside the bunker if I'm replaying a stroke that was played from the sand?

No. The relief area must be in the bunker. You're not taking back-on-the-line relief; you're replaying the stroke from where it was made.

What happens if my dropped ball rolls out of the one-club-length relief area?

Re-drop once. If it rolls out again, place it on the spot where it first touched the ground on the second drop.

Is there a penalty if I accidentally place the ball instead of dropping?

Yes. Playing from a wrong place by placing when a drop is required gives you the general penalty: two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play (Rule 14.7a).