New drop

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By AWoods

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  • 10 Replies
  1. AWoods

    AWoods

    What’s TT members take on the new way to drop?Im old enough to remember the older way to drop ie over back of shoulder but watching golf from PGA Tour last night with players dropping from knee height looked wrong and awkward Couldn’t waist height been better?

  2. Stuart M

    Stuart M
    Dundee

    I'm just not getting what can possibly be difficult about dropping from knee height, lean over til the ball is level with the height of your knee and release the ball, what can possibly wrong or awkward about that.
  3. JT TITLEISTUSER

    JT TITLEISTUSER
    Wirral

    I agree, knee high looks absurd and is not a natural point from which to drop the ball.
    The waist would be much better.
    Wonder if it was thought that it was easier to "manipulate" the ball from waist height?
    Seems one explanation.
    JT
  4. Deno

    Deno
    New Jersey

    Military
    The ruling bodies thought that the ball dropped from shoulder height would usually roll more than a 2 club lengths making the player have to then place the ball by hand. That took too much time they say. I suppose looking through yardage books like lawyers looking for loopholes doesn't waste time? Considering the slope of the ground, the new rule should have allowed dropping anywhere between the shoulder and knee height. The other daft thing is dropping the ball from you side. Why not in front to eliminate and awkward back twist?
  5. Stuart M

    Stuart M
    Dundee

    Deno said:

    The ruling bodies thought that the ball dropped from shoulder height would usually roll more than a 2 club lengths making the player have to then place the ball by hand. That took too much time they say. I suppose looking through yardage books like lawyers looking for loopholes doesn't waste time? Considering the slope of the ground, the new rule should have allowed dropping anywhere between the shoulder and knee height. The other daft thing is dropping the ball from you side. Why not in front to eliminate and awkward back twist?

    Have I missed where it says dropping from your side ? In fact no I haven't, the rule makes no mention of dropping from the side.

    Rule 14.3b:


    Ball Must Be Dropped in Right Way
    The player must drop a ball in the right way, which means all three of these things:

    (1) Player Must Drop Ball. The ball must be dropped only by the player. Neither the player’s caddie nor anyone else may do so.

    (2) Ball Must Be Dropped Straight Down from Knee Height Without Touching Player or Equipment. The player must let go of the ball from a location at knee height so that the ball:

    Falls straight down, without the player throwing, spinning or rolling it or using any other motion that might affect where the ball will come to rest, and
    Does not touch any part of the player’s body or equipment before it hits the ground.
    “Knee height” means the height of the player’s knee when in a standing position.


    I absolutely promise you, it is not difficult, nor awkward, nor absurd as BdeC said the other day. I just don't see why so many people are finding this so puzzling.
  6. Deno

    Deno
    New Jersey

    Military

    Deno said:

    The ruling bodies thought that the ball dropped from shoulder height would usually roll more than a 2 club lengths making the player have to then place the ball by hand. That took too much time they say. I suppose looking through yardage books like lawyers looking for loopholes doesn't waste time? Considering the slope of the ground, the new rule should have allowed dropping anywhere between the shoulder and knee height. The other daft thing is dropping the ball from you side. Why not in front to eliminate and awkward back twist?

    There are more out of shape golfers in the world that can't tie their spikes without sitting down. Guys with back braces and limited flexibility will have problems for sure. The player should be able to decide on any spot between shoulders and knees. In a foursome, it may take a one player a few times to drop while other players are hitting or walking to their own shots. What's the hurry?
  7. El bandito

    El bandito
    Fife Bonny Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

    We were discussing this at the golf course last night, the mind boggles why they would want to change it from what it was.
    I’m all for some of the other new rules to help speed the game up.
    Lately on a few course I’ve played, I think I’ve been out behind pros wanting to take 4/5 hours a round and couldn’t hit a ball grrrr.
    No matters or golf course etiquette!!
  8. Steve W

    Steve W
    Tooting, London

    Shoulder height always seemed logical to me, but it did lead to repeated drops as the ball could bounce/roll outside the given parameters. By reducing the height of drop, the ball is far less likely to bounce and roll, so you are ready to play quicker? You will also be less likely to be able to place the ball...
  9. APhillips

    APhillips

    I think dropping from knee height may be advantageous to the area you are looking to drop the ball in as, your eyeline would be over the drop area.

    Interesting to see how this goes into the 2019 season.
  10. Declan F

    Declan F
    Wexford, Ireland

    It feels a bit weird but we’ll all get used to it eventually.
  11. Deno

    Deno
    New Jersey

    Military
    StuartM

    You are correct my friend. Nothing in the rules mention are drop from the side.

    Always a pleasure.....good golfing!

    Deno

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