[Golf Rules... Knowledge Is Power] 'Relief for Clubs with Covers?'

Driver with cover from club toe to grip end
‘Use not allowed’
Must drop within relief area

Golf has no referees. It is a "gentleman's sport" where golfers play by following the rules themselves. The golf rules are "assistants" created to help with play. If well understood and properly used, they can greatly aid in score management. These are golf rules that weekend golfers must know.

Amateur golfers often make mistakes during a round. One such mistake is choosing a driver with a head cover when measuring the relief area. Taking out the driver, the longest club, is a wise method because it can widen the relief area range. However, the relief area cannot be measured with the head cover on. Such incidents have recently occurred even on the PGA Korn Ferry Tour (the second-tier tour).

The relief area is a range within one club-length from the reference point, not closer to the hole. It is measured using the longest club the golfer has, excluding the putter, which is the driver. The club length is measured from the toe to the end of the grip. The head cover is not included. Using it violates Rule 14.3 of the golf rules regarding the player's relief area. Continuing play from an incorrect spot results in a two-stroke penalty.

When taking relief and dropping the ball, the ball may be cleaned. If damaged, it can be replaced with another ball. When dropping, the ball must be released from knee height. The ball must fall within the relief area. Also, the ball must come to rest within the relief area to continue play.