[beyond the sea]

I'm not sure of all the rules, but isn't the idea of the "drop" really an approximation to begin with? That is why they literaly DROP the ball, so that while the play is MORE favorable at an equal distance? If there was a requirement of precision, then there wouldn't be a DROP to begin with, and the DROP was done at the penalty of a single stroke?

Good point but........... the drop is really done so as not to allow the player to place their ball to give themself a great lie.

[wickedpinto]

You said "so as not to allow the player to place their ball to give themself a great lie." But 12" is NOT a "great lie" it is EXACTLY in context of the concept of a "DROP!" That was my point.