Blog 10/7/2022. Nearest Point of relief. Golf rules and/or a local rule may allow a player to take relief from a condition on the course such as fixed objects and pathways. Consider only the “objective item” for which you may take relief, any other condition or object do not enter into the establishment of “Nearest Point of Relief”. I.e. if the nearest point of relief is in a hedge, the hedge will not change the identity/location for the nearest point of relief and further consideration involving penalty drop for an unplayable ball may be required. By definition nearest point of relief:- is the nearest position, not nearer to the hole in play, from its present position, the ball is required to be, that would remove the “objective item” from interfering with a players ball, stance or swing area. In the sketch, I have shown alternative positions to determine the nearest point of relief for a ball on the path at point “D”. For a right handed player, the option for Point “A” is always adjacent to the path no nearer the hole. To establish options on the other side of the path, take your stance next to the path with the club you would normally expect to use for your next shot, giving you a position between “B” and “C” depending on your club selection. Whichever of the three positions is closest to the ball position “D” is your nearest point of relief. Taking the same club, establish your relief area from point “A”,”B” or “C” as the appropriate nearest point of relief, measure one club-length and peg this point. Your relief area is a D shape area, one club radius from this point. The ball must be dropped, land and come to rest within this relief area.