HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.,  – CLEVELAND GOLF®, SRIXON®, and SWAG are back for another limited-edition collaboration, and this time, they’re going all in. Introducing the Cleveland Golf, Srixon, and SWAG “High Roller” collection, a fresh new drop inspired by the energy and attitude of the casino floor.

Featuring custom face card artwork built around SWAG’s iconic designs, the “High Roller” collection delivers the personality golfers love from SWAG with the trusted short-game performance of Cleveland Golf’s RTZ Black Satin Wedges and Srixon’s tour-trusted Z-STAR DIAMOND golf balls.

“After the response to last year’s collaboration, it was clear our consumers wanted more. Today’s modern golfer is looking for performance, but they also want personality and authenticity,” said Chris Kircher, Vice President of Marketing at Srixon. “Partnering with SWAG again allows us to keep listening, keep evolving, and continue delivering products that reflect where the game is headed.”

The “High Roller” RTZ Black Satin Wedges feature five bold, face card inspired designs showcasing the Jack, Queen, King, Ace, and Joker. With casino-style detailing and SWAG’s unmistakable flair, this limited-edition lineup is built to stand out in the bag and at address. Each loft is tied directly to a unique design, including six right-handed options: 50° and 52° in the Jack face card, 54° in the Queen, 56° in the King, 58° in the Ace, and 60° in the Joker. Left-handed golfers will have three loft options available: 52° in the Jack, 56° in the Queen, and 60° in the King.

Additionally, each RTZ Black Satin Wedge comes equipped with a True Temper Dynamic Gold shaft featuring a SWAG-designed label, paired with Golf Pride MCC Black/Gold grips, and custom Black/Gold ferrules for a premium, cohesive finish.

Rounding out the “High Roller” collection are custom Srixon Z-STAR DIAMOND golf balls, showcasing diamond-themed artwork that nods to the ball’s name while tying seamlessly into the wedge designs for a complete look.

“SWAG has never been about blending in. We’ve always pushed the culture side of golf forward, and it’s exciting to work with Cleveland and Srixon, a partner that understands that energy while delivering the performance golfers expect at the highest level,” said Sean Ferrell, Vice President of Marketing at SWAG. “Together we’re creating something special for players who want their gear to make a statement without sacrificing performance.” 

Both the wedges and golf balls will be sold through SWAG, Srixon, and Cleveland Golf’s main websites, as well as exclusive retailers Dick’s Sporting Goods and Golf Galaxy. Limited quantities will be available.

To shop the “High Roller” collection, visit swag.golf, us.dunlopsports.com, or visit your participating local retailer.   

Product Information & Pricing

Pricing:

• SWAG x RTZ Black Satin Wedge: $222.22
• SWAG x Srixon Z-STAR DIAMOND Golf Balls: $59.99

Product Information:

Lofts & Grinds:

• RH (50°- 60° MID)
• LH (52°, 56°, 60° MID)

Designs: Face Cards with SWAG characters

Card Denominations: Jack, Queen, King, Ace, Joker  

Premium Components: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 shaft, Golf Pride MCC Black/Gold grips, Custom Black/Gold Ferrule

Each design is final, with no custom options available. 

Launch Date: March 25, 2025

ABOUT Dunlop Sports Americas:

Based in Huntington Beach, CA and Greenville, SC, Dunlop Sports Americas (DSA) is the North American subsidiary of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. We manufacture and sell premium golf and racket sports equipment to players of all skill levels under a portfolio of brands: Dunlop, Srixon, Cleveland Golf, and XXIO. DSA is also a licensed exclusive distributor of ASICS golf footwear. Our unique global sales network and infrastructure in R&D, manufacturing, and material science elevates our brands onto a global stage where we encourage players from around the world to experience our incredible products. For more information, please contact Noelle Zavaleta at noellezavaleta@srixon.com.

ABOUT SWAG Golf Co.

Headquartered in Northbrook, Ill., SWAG Golf has produced unparalleled headcovers, precision-made putters, bespoke accessories and quality apparel since its inception in 2018. With a Don’t Give A Putt attitude, SWAG Golf has built a reputation as one of the most sought-after companies in the golf space. With a typical sell-out time of mere minutes, SWAG has a loyal following and continues to expand its presence in the golf community and beyond. The company has several high-profile partnerships including The United States Ryder Cup Team, Instagram sensation Paige Spiranac, MLB Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., 3X World Series Champion Jon Lester and, most recently, 4Aces GC which features two-time major champion Dustin Johnson. At swaggolf.com, fans can also get their favorite Officially Licensed MLB, NFL, Ryder Cup and WWE headcovers. For the latest product releases follow at @SwagGolfCo on Instagram, Facebook and X.

DUNLOP SPORTS AMERICAS
Noelle Zavaleta
noellezavaleta@srixon.com

SWAG
Sean Ferrell
sean@swag.golf

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A drop in golf is often a misunderstood concept, so if you’ve ever asked the question, you certainly won’t be alone.

However, in this blog, we’ll answer that question so you can drop with confidence.

What does a drop mean in golf?

In golf, if your ball lands out of bounds, in a penalty area, or in an unplayable lie, the player can put their ball back in play via a drop.

Following the drop rules in golf

Firstly, when taking relief, you must drop your ball, whether under penalty or not. If you have a caddy, they can’t drop your ball for you—that’s your responsibility.

Since 2019, the rules state that when dropping, you must do so from knee height. Before the change, dropping was instead done from shoulder height.

When the rules changed at the beginning of 2019, it was initially met with criticism regarding how silly it looked to drop the ball from knee height—but there was, in fact, some sound thinking behind it.

1. Dropping the ball from knee height

At the time of the rule change, the USGA’s Thomas Pagel explained: “It’s not just a drop from knee height, but now it’s a focus on the relief area. People say that dropping from shoulder height is simple, and it is, but under the old rules, there were nine different times you had to re-drop. We wanted to eliminate all those complications.

“In order to focus on that new relief area, we said, ‘Let’s get the player closer to the ground, and if you drop it from knee height, that ball is going to bounce a little less.’”

When dropping, the ball must first strike the ground and stay within the relief area. If it lands inside and rolls out, or vice versa, then you need to drop the ball again.

To better understand where to drop your ball, though, you need to understand where your reference point is, and these differ depending on the type of relief you’re getting.

2. Know your reference point

• If your ball is unplayable, the reference point is where the ball lies

• If your ball is in a penalty area (for example, a body of water or an area which has been defined as unplayable or where a ball is often lost), the reference point is where the ball crossed the edge of the penalty area

• If you’re taking back-on-the-line relief, the reference point is where the ball first hits the ground when dropped

• If your ball comes to rest in ‘abnormal course conditions’, such as temporary water, ground under repair, cart paths, or sprinkler heads, the reference point is the nearest point to where your ball lies. However, this can’t be nearer to the hole and is the spot where you can play your next shot with no interference from where you are dropping

You may stand either inside or outside the relief area when dropping your ball.

As of 2019, the term ‘penalty area’ has superseded ‘water hazard’. You can play the ball as it lies in a penalty area, and you can ground your club.

3. Learn the options for taking relief

What is stroke-and-distance relief?

If you’re certain that your ball is in a penalty area, you can return to where your last shot was played from, drop your ball within one club’s length, and play it with a one-shot penalty. If it were a tee shot, you could play it from any area of the tee.

What is back-on-the-line relief?

Locate where your ball last crossed the penalty area, and you can go back as far as you want on a line that keeps that point between you and the hole. You can now drop your ball, and it can move in any direction from that spot.

What is a lateral drop in golf?

Here, you can measure a relief area of two club lengths (not nearer the hole) from your reference point of crossing the penalty area and drop it in this relief area. The penalty, again, is one stroke.

Another key point to understand is the size of the relief area from your reference point. If you’re dropping from some abnormal course conditions, it’s one club length, and if you’re dropping from an unplayable ball or a ball in a red penalty area, it’s two club lengths.

If the ball doesn’t stay in the relief area, simply drop it again. If this happens for a second time, place the ball where the ball landed when you re-dropped it.

Another rule change also stipulates that the longest club in your bag cannot be your putter, so anyone using an extended putter can’t gain an advantage.

Interestingly, you can leave the headcover on your driver when measuring, but the extra length does not count.

What is a golf drop zone?

If your course has a designated golf drop zone, usually marked by a sign or lines painted onto the course, you may choose to drop your ball in this zone when taking relief. For some courses, using the drop zone is mandatory, though not always. Designed to speed up play, you’ll often find them near common golf hazards, such as water hazards.

Points to remember

Before lifting your ball, you must mark the spot. You can use a ball marker behind or next to the ball, or hold a club on the ground right behind or right next to your ball. If you fail to do either of these, you will receive one penalty stroke.

You can clean your ball when it is on the putting green or when you’re taking free relief or a penalty drop. However, you CAN NOT clean your ball when:

• checking to see if it’s cut or cracked
• lifting it to identify it, though you can clean the mud away to do so
• it is interfering with another player away from the green
• checking to see if it has settled into an indentation—however, if you take relief from an embedded ball, you are then allowed to clean it

If you fail to comply with the above, you will be penalised one stroke. 

Dropping in golf can take a while to get the hang of, particularly if you’re new to the game. However, read up on the rules mentioned above and refer to this guide the next time you need to take a drop. You’ll be dropping with confidence in no time.

Golf drop rules: FAQs

What is the penalty for a drop in golf?

Generally, there is a one-stroke penalty for a drop in golf. However, if you do not follow the rules correctly and a ball is dropped wrong and still played, you could face a two-stroke penalty.

Can you drop out of a bunker in golf?

You can drop out of a bunker in golf; however, you will take a one or two-stroke penalty depending on where you choose to drop the ball.

If you drop your ball within two club lengths but still inside the bunker, or take your next shot from where you made your last shot, then you will incur a one-stroke penalty.

If you use the back-on-the-line method to be able to drop your ball outside of the bunker, you will incur a two-stroke penalty.

Do you have to use a drop zone in golf?

You’ll usually find that using a golf drop zone is optional. However, you should check the local rules to see whether using the golf drop zone is mandatory at your course.

Specialist golf insurance through Golf Care

Being clued up on the rules when it comes to dropping in golf will make you a more competent and confident player. However, if you play golf regularly, you might want to consider specialist golf insurance to help financially protect you and your golf equipment. Get a quote online today.

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