Rules and Decisions

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The USGA, in conjunction with The R&A in St. Andrews, Scotland, writes, interprets and maintains the Rules of Golf to guard the tradition and integrity of the game. The two organizations are joint authors and owners of The Rules of Golf and Decisions on the Rules of Golf. Through an agreement with The R&A, the Rules jurisdiction of the USGA includes only the United States, its possessions and Mexico. The latest version went into effect Jan. 1, 2012, with the next revision taking effect Jan. 1, 2016.

 

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Rule 23

Loose Impediments

 

Definitions

All defined terms are in italics and are listed alphabetically in the Definitions section – see pages 2235.

23-1. Relief

Except when both the loose impediment and the ball lie in or touch the same hazard, any loose impediment may be removed without penalty.

If the ball lies anywhere other than on the putting green and the removal of a loose impediment by the player causes the ball to move, Rule 18-2a applies.

On the putting green, if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved in the process of the player removing a loose impediment, the ball or ball-marker must be replaced. There is no penalty, provided the movement of the ball or ball-marker is directly attributable to the removal of the loose impediment. Otherwise, if the player causes the ball to move, he incurs a penalty of one stroke under Rule 18-2a. 

When a ball is in motion, a loose impediment that might influence the movement of the ball must not be removed.

Note: If the ball lies in a hazard, the player must not touch or move any loose impediment lying in or touching the same hazard – see Rule 13-4c.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE:

Match play – Loss of hole; Stroke play – Two strokes.

(Searching for ball in hazard – see Rule 12-1)

(Touching line of putt – see Rule 16-1a)

Rules

23-1 Relief

Decisions

23/1 When Loose Impediment Transformed into Obstruction
23/2 Meaning of "Solidly Embedded" in Definition of "Loose Impediments"
23/3 Half-Eaten Pear
23/4 Fruit Skins
23/5 Ant Hill
23/5.5 Status of Insect-Like Creatures
23/6 Dead Land Crab
23/6.5 Status of Snake
23/7 Fallen Tree
23/8 Worm Partially Underground
23/9 Embedded Acorn
23/10 Ball Embedded in Fruit
23/11 Loose Soil from Cast of Hole Made by Burrowing Animal
23/12 Aeration Plugs
23/13 Clod of Earth
23/14 Loose Impediments Used to Surface Road
23-1/1 Means by Which Loose Impediments May Be Removed
23-1/2 Large Stone Removable Only with Much Effort
23-1/3 Assistance in Removing Large Loose Impediment
23-1/4 Breaking Off Part of Large Loose Impediment
23-1/5 Removal of Insect on Ball
23-1/5.5 Status of Insect on Ball in Bunker
23-1/6 Removal of Loose Impediments from Area in Which Ball to Be Dropped
23-1/6.5 Removal of Loose Impediments from Spot Where Ball to Be Placed
23-1/7 Loose Impediment Affecting Lie Moved When Ball Lifted
23-1/8 Loose Impediments Affecting Lie Removed While Ball Lifted
23-1/9 Removal of Loose Impediment Lying Out of Bounds
23-1/10 Removal of Loose Impediments Affecting Player's Play
23-1/11 Ball Moved Accidentally by Foot During Removal of Loose Impediment on Putting Green
23-1/12 After Ball Addressed on Putting Green Ball Moved in Removal of Loose Impediment