What is the relief area when taking relief?

The relief area is the spot where you must drop your ball when taking relief. It measures one club-length from your reference point, cannot be nearer the hole, and must stay in the same area of the course — general area, bunker, penalty area, or putting green.

How big is the relief area?

Picture a circle with a radius of one club-length — that's your relief area. You measure from the reference point (usually the nearest point of complete relief) using the longest club in your bag other than a putter. The ball must come to rest inside that circle after you drop it.

Where can the relief area be?

The relief area stays in the same area of the course where your ball originally lay. If you're in the general area, you drop in the general area. If you're in a bunker, you drop in the bunker — unless a specific Rule lets you go outside it. On the putting green, you place the ball on the spot rather than dropping.

What if the ball rolls out after the drop?

If your dropped ball rolls outside the relief area, you drop again. If it rolls out a second time, you place it where it first struck the ground on that second drop. The ball must stay inside the one club-length circle and not end up nearer the hole than the reference point.

Exceptions that change the answer

• Taking relief from an abnormal course condition in a bunker → The relief area stays inside the bunker for free relief. If you choose back-on-the-line relief outside the bunker, it costs two penalty strokes and the relief area is based on that line.
• Taking relief on a putting green → You don't drop — you place the ball on the estimated spot. The relief area concept doesn't apply the same way because the ball is placed, not dropped.

Frequently asked questions

Can I choose any club to measure the relief area?

You must use the longest club in your bag other than a putter — typically your driver. Using a shorter club to make the area smaller isn't allowed.

Does the relief area include the reference point itself?

Yes. The reference point is the center of the circle, so the relief area extends one club-length in every direction from that spot, including the spot itself.

What happens if my relief area is in a bush or thick rough?

That's the relief area — you drop there and play from there. You don't get to pick a nicer spot unless another Rule gives you a different reference point.

Is the relief area different for penalty areas?

The size is the same — one club-length — but the reference point changes depending on which penalty area relief option you choose (stroke-and-distance, back-on-the-line, or lateral).

Can the relief area be on a putting green if my ball was in the general area?

No. The relief area must stay in the same area of the course. General area relief stays in the general area; it can't extend onto the putting green.