Rule 14 - Procedures for Ball: Marking, Lifting and Cleaning; Replacing on Spot; Dropping in Relief Area; Playing from Wrong Place

(1) Who Must Replace Ball: The player’s ball must be replacedReplace: To place a ball by setting it down by hand and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play.(...Continued) under the Rules only by:

• The player, or

• Any person who lifted the ball or caused it to moveMoved: When a ball at rest has left its original spot and come to rest on any other spot, and this can be seen by the naked eye (whether or not anyone actually sees it do so).(...Continued).

If the player plays a ball that was replacedReplace: To place a ball by setting it down by hand and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play.(...Continued) by someone not allowed to do so, the player gets one penalty stroke.

See Rules 25.2h, 25.3c and 25.4a (for players with certain disabilities, modification of Rule 14.2b(1) allows the player to give general authorization to any other person to place or replaceReplace: To place a ball by setting it down by hand and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play.(...Continued) the player’s ball).

(2) How Ball Must Be Replaced. The ball must be replacedReplace: To place a ball by setting it down by hand and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play.(...Continued) by setting it down by hand on the required spot and letting it go so that it stays on that spot.

If the player plays a ball that was replacedReplace: To place a ball by setting it down by hand and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play.(...Continued) in a wrong way but on the required spot, the player gets one penalty stroke.

(1) Ball in Sand. When the ball was in sand, whether in a bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued) or anywhere else on the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee:(...Continued):

• In replacingReplace: To place a ball by setting it down by hand and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play.(...Continued) the ball on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2c), the player must re-create the original lieLie: The spot on which a ball is at rest and any growing or attached natural object, immovable obstruction, integral object, or boundary object touching the ball or right next to it.(...Continued) as much as possible.

• In re-creating the lieLie: The spot on which a ball is at rest and any growing or attached natural object, immovable obstruction, integral object, or boundary object touching the ball or right next to it.(...Continued), the player may leave a small part of the ball visible if the ball had been covered by sand.

If the player plays from the right place but fails to re-create the lieLie: The spot on which a ball is at rest and any growing or attached natural object, immovable obstruction, integral object, or boundary object touching the ball or right next to it.(...Continued) in breach of this Rule, the player gets the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play..  

(2) Ball Anywhere Except in Sand. When the ball was anywhere except in sand, the player must replaceReplace: To place a ball by setting it down by hand and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play.(...Continued) the ball by placing it on the nearest spot with a lieLie: The spot on which a ball is at rest and any growing or attached natural object, immovable obstruction, integral object, or boundary object touching the ball or right next to it.(...Continued) most similar to the original lieLie: The spot on which a ball is at rest and any growing or attached natural object, immovable obstruction, integral object, or boundary object touching the ball or right next to it.(...Continued) that is:

• Within one club-lengthClub-Length: The length of the longest club of the 14 (or fewer) clubs the player has during the round (as allowed by Rule 4.1b(1)), other than a putter.(...Continued) from its original spot (which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2c),

• Not nearer the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued), and

• In the same area of the courseAreas of the Course: The five defined areas that make up the course: as that spot.

If the player knows that the original lieLie: The spot on which a ball is at rest and any growing or attached natural object, immovable obstruction, integral object, or boundary object touching the ball or right next to it.(...Continued) was altered but does not know what the lieLie: The spot on which a ball is at rest and any growing or attached natural object, immovable obstruction, integral object, or boundary object touching the ball or right next to it.(...Continued) was, the player must estimate the original lieLie: The spot on which a ball is at rest and any growing or attached natural object, immovable obstruction, integral object, or boundary object touching the ball or right next to it.(...Continued) and replaceReplace: To place a ball by setting it down by hand and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play.(...Continued) the ball under (1) or (2).

Exception – For Lies Altered While Play is Stopped and Ball Has Been Lifted, see Rule 5.7d.

(1) Player Must Drop Ball. The ball must be droppedDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) only by the player. Neither the player’s caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued) nor anyone else may do so.

See Rules 25.2h, 25.3c and 25.4a (for players with certain disabilities, modification of Rule 14.3b(1) allows the player to give general authorization to any other person to dropDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) the player’s ball).

(2) Ball Must Be Dropped Straight Down from Knee Height Without Touching Player or Equipment. The player must let go of the ball from a location at knee height so that the ball:

• Falls straight down, without the player throwing, spinning or rolling it or using any other motion that might affect where the ball will come to rest, and

• Does not touch any part of the player’s body or equipmentEquipment: Anything used, worn, held or carried by the player or the player’s caddie.(...Continued) before it hits the ground. 

“Knee height” means the height of the player’s knee when in a standing position.

See Rule 25.6b (for guidance on applying Rule 14.3b(2) to players with certain disabilities).

(3) Ball Must Be Dropped in Relief Area (or on Line). The ball must be droppedDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) in the relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3), each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors:(...Continued). The player may stand either inside or outside the relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3), each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors:(...Continued) when droppingDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) the ball. But  when taking back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3b), the ball must be droppedDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) on the line in a location allowed by the Rules and the spot on which the ball is droppedDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) creates a relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3), each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors:(...Continued). 

(4) What to do if Ball Dropped in Wrong Way. 

If a ball is droppedDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play.(...Continued)  in a wrong way in breach of one or more of the requirements in (1), (2), or (3):

• The player must dropDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) a ball again in the right way, and there is no limit to the number of times the player must do so.

• A ball droppedDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) in the wrong way does not count as one of the two dropsDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) required before a ball must be placed under Rule 14.3c(2).

If the player does not dropDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) again and instead makes a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) at the ball from where it came to rest after being droppedDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play.(...Continued)  in a wrong way:

• If the ball was played from the relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3), each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors:(...Continued), the player gets one penalty stroke (but has not played from a wrong placeWrong Place: Any place on the course other than where the player is required or allowed to play their ball under the Rules.(...Continued) under Rule 14.7a).

• But if the ball was played from outside the relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3), each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors:(...Continued), or after it was placed when required to be droppedDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) (no matter where it was played from), the player gets the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play..

(1) Player Has Completed Taking Relief When Ball Dropped in Right Way Comes to Rest in Relief Area. The ball must come to rest in the relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3), each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors:(...Continued).

It does not matter whether the ball, after hitting the ground, touches any person (including the player), equipmentEquipment: Anything used, worn, held or carried by the player or the player’s caddie.(...Continued) or other outside influenceOutside Influence: Any of these people or things that can affect what happens to a player’s ball or equipment or to the course: before coming to rest:

• If the ball comes to rest in the relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3), each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors:(...Continued), the player has completed taking relief and must play the ball as it lies.

• If the ball comes to rest outside the relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3), each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors:(...Continued), the player must use the procedures in Rule 14.3c(2).

In either case, there is no penalty to any player if a ball droppedDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) in the right way accidentally hits any person (including the player), equipmentEquipment: Anything used, worn, held or carried by the player or the player’s caddie.(...Continued) or other outside influenceOutside Influence: Any of these people or things that can affect what happens to a player’s ball or equipment or to the course: before coming to rest.

Exception – When Ball Dropped in Right Way is Deliberately Deflected or Stopped by Any Person: For what to do when the droppedDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) ball is deliberately deflected or stopped by any person before it comes to rest, see Rule 14.3d.

(2) What to Do if Ball Dropped in Right Way Comes to Rest Outside Relief Area. If the ball comes to rest outside the relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3), each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors:(...Continued), the player must dropDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) a ball in the right way a second time.

If that ball also comes to rest outside the relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3), each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors:(...Continued), the player must then complete taking relief by placing a ball using the procedures for replacingReplace: To place a ball by setting it down by hand and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play.(...Continued) a ball in Rules 14.2b(2) and 14.2e:

• The player must place a ball on the spot where the ball droppedDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) the second time first touched the ground.

• If the placed ball does not stay at rest on that spot, the player must place a ball on that spot a second time.

• If the ball placed a second time also does not stay on that spot, the player must place a ball on the nearest spot where the ball will stay at rest, subject to the limits in Rule 14.2e. This might result in the ball being placed outside the relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3), each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors:(...Continued). 

(1) When Ball Was Put in Play Under Rule That Applied and Was Dropped or Placed in Right Place, but Rule Requires Ball to Be Dropped or Placed Again.

• In correcting this mistake, the player must go on to take relief using the same Rule and the same relief option under that Rule.

• For example, if when taking relief for an unplayable ball, the player used the lateral relief option (Rule 19.2c) and the ball was droppedDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) in the right relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3), each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors:(...Continued) but (1) was droppedDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play.(...Continued)  in a wrong way (see Rule 14.3b) or (2) came to rest outside the relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3), each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors:(...Continued) (see Rule 14.3c), in correcting the mistake the player must go on to take relief under Rule 19.2 and must use the same relief option (lateral relief under Rule 19.2c).

(2) When Ball Was Put in Play Under Rule That Applied but Ball Was Dropped or Placed in Wrong Place.

• In correcting this mistake, the player must go on to take relief under the same Rule but may use any relief option under that Rule that applies to their situation.

• For example, if when taking relief for an unplayable ball, the player used the lateral relief option Rule (19.2c) and mistakenly droppedDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) the ball outside the required relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3), each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors:(...Continued), in correcting the mistake the player must go on to take relief under Rule 19.2  and may use any of the relief options under that Rule.

(3) When Ball Was Put in Play Under Rule That Did Not Apply.

• In correcting this mistake, the player may use any Rule that applies to their situation.

• For example, if the player mistakenly took unplayable ball relief for their ball in a penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there.(...Continued) (which Rule 19.1 does not allow), the player must correct the mistake by either replacingReplace: To place a ball by setting it down by hand and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play.(...Continued) the ball (if it had been lifted) under Rule 9.4, or taking penalty relief under Rule 17 and may use any relief option under that Rule that applies to their situation.

(1) Player Must Decide Whether to Play Out Hole with Ball Played from Wrong Place or to Correct the Mistake by Playing from Right Place. What a player does next depends on whether it was a serious breachSerious Breach: In stroke play, when playing from a wrong place could give the player a significant advantage compared to the stroke to be made from the right place.(...Continued) – that is, whether the player could have gained a significant advantage by playing from a wrong placeWrong Place: Any place on the course other than where the player is required or allowed to play their ball under the Rules.(...Continued):

• Not a Serious Breach. The player must play out the hole with the ball played from a wrong placeWrong Place: Any place on the course other than where the player is required or allowed to play their ball under the Rules.(...Continued), without correcting the mistake.

• Serious Breach.

  • The player must correct the mistake by playing out the hole with a ball played from a right place under the Rules.

  • If the player does not correct the mistake before making a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) to begin another hole or, for the final hole of the roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee., before returning their scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued), the player is disqualified.

• What to Do If Uncertain Whether Breach Is Serious. The player should play out the hole with both the ball played from a wrong placeWrong Place: Any place on the course other than where the player is required or allowed to play their ball under the Rules.(...Continued) and a second ball played from a right place under the Rules.

(2) Player Who Plays Two Balls Must Report to Committee. If the player is uncertain whether playing from the wrong placeWrong Place: Any place on the course other than where the player is required or allowed to play their ball under the Rules.(...Continued) was a serious breachSerious Breach: In stroke play, when playing from a wrong place could give the player a significant advantage compared to the stroke to be made from the right place.(...Continued) and decides to play a second ball in trying to correct the mistake:

• The player must report the facts to the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. before returning the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued).

• This applies even if the player believes they scored the same with both balls as well as when the player, having decided to play a second ball, chooses not to complete the hole with both balls.

If the player does not report the facts to the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course., they are disqualified.

(3) When Player Played Two Balls, Committee Will Decide Player’s Score for Hole. The player’s score for the hole depends on whether the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. decides that there was a serious breachSerious Breach: In stroke play, when playing from a wrong place could give the player a significant advantage compared to the stroke to be made from the right place.(...Continued) in playing the original ball from a wrong placeWrong Place: Any place on the course other than where the player is required or allowed to play their ball under the Rules.(...Continued):

• No Serious Breach.

  • The score with the ball played from a wrong placeWrong Place: Any place on the course other than where the player is required or allowed to play their ball under the Rules.(...Continued) counts, and the player gets the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. under Rule 14.7a (which means that two penalty strokes are added to the score with that ball).

  • All strokes with the other ball (including strokesStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) made and any penalty strokes solely from playing that ball) do not count.

• Serious Breach.

  • The score with the ball played to correct the mistake of playing from a wrong placeWrong Place: Any place on the course other than where the player is required or allowed to play their ball under the Rules.(...Continued) counts, and the player gets the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. under Rule 14.7a (which means that two penalty strokes are added to the score with that ball).

  • The strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) made in playing the original ball from a wrong placeWrong Place: Any place on the course other than where the player is required or allowed to play their ball under the Rules.(...Continued) and any more strokes with that ball (including strokesStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) made and any penalty strokes solely from playing that ball) do not count.

  • If the ball played to correct the mistake was also played from a wrong placeWrong Place: Any place on the course other than where the player is required or allowed to play their ball under the Rules.(...Continued):

    • If the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. decides that this was not a serious breachSerious Breach: In stroke play, when playing from a wrong place could give the player a significant advantage compared to the stroke to be made from the right place.(...Continued), the player gets the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. (two more penalty strokes) under Rule 14.7a, making a total of four penalty strokes that are added to the score with that ball (two for playing the original ball from a wrong placeWrong Place: Any place on the course other than where the player is required or allowed to play their ball under the Rules.(...Continued) and two for playing the other ball from a wrong placeWrong Place: Any place on the course other than where the player is required or allowed to play their ball under the Rules.(...Continued)).

    • If the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. decides that this was a serious breachSerious Breach: In stroke play, when playing from a wrong place could give the player a significant advantage compared to the stroke to be made from the right place.(...Continued), the player is disqualified.