Relief - Back on a Line
Back on a line (Updated for 2023 Rules)
Can be used when the ball is:
In a Penalty Area of Out of Bounds
if the player decides that the ball is unplayable.
Relief is taken from a reference point, either
a) the point where the ball crossed into a Penalty Area or where it went out of bounds
b) where the ball was lying in the General Area if declared unplayable.
... then back on a line away from the hole, through that point.
Players often mistakenly assume it is the line the ball was travelling along.
Note that ...
when using Back on a Line, the ball is to be dropped on the line and must settle in the relief area which is a circle with a radius of 1 club length as shown at location in the diagrams to the right.
as the ball may be dropped as far back as the player determines, in this case, the relief area (within which the dropped ball must come to rest) includes space nearer the hole.
Back on a line - ball entered Penalty Area (or out of bounds)
Back on a Line - ball declared unplayable (position of the ball is the reference point)
