Golf Rule: Relief from a Drainage Ditch - Can You Drop?

Question
my ball ended up in a cement drainage ditch behind the green. the nearest point of relief, according to my pals, was hard pan dirt abutting the ditch. must i drop on that junk, or can i follow the arc over to nearest grass?

Answer
Salvador,

That's what pals are for. Haha

In this case you would be allowed one club length from the nearest point of relief, no nearer the hole. This would give you some flexibility as to where to drop.

Thanks for the question and tell your pals to drop a question my way.

Michael Hoffman
PGA Professional