For a free drop...can I place it on the fairway?

[formula428]

My question is, certain rules in golf allow for a free drop.  For me, this particularly often applies to the cart path and next to a yardage stake that isn't movable.  Under the "free drop" may I place the ball (no closure to the hole) on the fairway, or must it be in the rough?  Or, is it where the ball is nearest to?  I.e, if the ball is on the cart path, which is "in" the rough, it must be placed in the rough.  Likewise, if the yardage marker is in the center of the fairway, the ball is placed in the fairway.  But how about on the edge of the fairway/rough...?

[Rulesman]

1) You must drop the ball not place it.

2) You must determine the nearest point to your ball where the is no interference to the ball, your stance and the line of your intended swing. This may be on or off the fairway or in the rough. Whichever is the nearest but not nearer the hole. You should use the club which you would have used if there had been no interference to simulate the stroke you would make to determine this spot.

You may then drop within one club length of this point not nearer the hole. The club used to measure may be any club in your bag.

See

http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Decision-24/#24-2b/1

for a full explanation and

http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Decision-25/#25-1b/2

for some helpful diagrams.

[zeg]

The above answer is correct---the difference between dropping and placing is very important.

In answer to your question about rough versus fairway, there is no distinction between these when choosing your drop point. The only restrictions are that you may not drop in a hazard (bunker or water hazard) and you may not drop on the putting green. Otherwise, any point within the one club length of the nearest point of relief may be selected.

[sacm3bill]

Originally Posted by zeg

The above answer is correct---the difference between dropping and placing is very important.

In answer to your question about rough versus fairway, there is no distinction between these when choosing your drop point. The only restrictions are that you may not drop in a hazard (bunker or water hazard) and you may not drop on the putting green. Otherwise, any point within the one club length of the nearest point of relief may be selected.

To be clear, note that there are situations where one may drop in a bunker (if the ball came to rest in the bunker and they're taking relief from casual water or taking an unplayable lie), just not when taking relief from an immovable obstruction.

[Dormie1360]

Some other exceptions.

DROPPING ON PUTTING GREEN ALLOWED (one stroke penalties)

24 Relief from Obstruction (Ball Lies in Bunker)

25 Relief from Abnormal Ground Condition (Ball Lies in Bunker)

26 Relief from Lateral Water Hazard (Ball Lies in Hazard)

28 Ball Unplayable (Ball Not in a Bunker)

As far as dropping in a bunker I can also think of this being allowed when taking relief under the water hazard rule, taking relief from an unplayable outside a bunker, and stroke and distance under rule 27.

[zeg]

Originally Posted by sacm3bill

To be clear, note that there are situations where one may drop in a bunker (if the ball came to rest in the bunker and they're taking relief from casual water or taking an unplayable lie), just not when taking relief from an immovable obstruction.

Correct, I was referring specifically to the case described where the issue is just that the ball was in the rough.

[luu5]

I wonder if the concept of Nearest Point of Relief is clear to OP. Even though the question itself is not about NPR.

[Rulesman]

Hopefully the diagrams I linked to above will have helped.