The changes to the Rules of Golf that affect YOU the most

2. No more dropping from shoulder height

Golfers will now be allowed to take free and penalty drops from knee height instead of shoulder height, as has been the case up to now. Originally, the R&A and USGA had proposed that players be allowed to drop from as low as two inches off the ground, but this was amended to knee height after objections were lodged during public consultation over the proposed changes. Dropping from knee height will increase the likelihood of the ball staying within the relief area and will also limit the extent to which a ball will embed in sand in a bunker.