Examples of actions that are unlikely to be considered reasonable as part of a fair search, and will result in the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. if there is an improvementImprove: To alter one or more of the conditions affecting the stroke or other physical conditions affecting play so that a player gains a potential advantage for a stroke. to conditions affecting the strokeConditions Affecting the Stroke: The lie of the player’s ball at rest, the area of intended stance, the area of intended swing, the line of play and the relief area where the player will drop or place a ball., include:
Taking an action to flatten areas of grass beyond what is reasonably necessary to walk through or search for the ball in the area where the ball is thought to lie;
Purposely removing any growing thing from the ground; or
Breaking a tree branch to allow easier access to the ball when it could have been reached without doing so.
If a player sees a ball in a tree or some other location where they are unable to retrieve the ball, the player may not assume that it is theirs but rather must identify it in one of the ways provided in Rule 7.2.
This may be done even though the player is unable to retrieve the ball, such as by:
Using binoculars or a distance-measuring device to see a mark that definitely identifies it as the player’s ball, or
Determining that another player or spectator saw the ball come to rest in that specific location after the player’s strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued).
When a player’s ball is accidentally movedMoved: 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) during a search and its original spot where it 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) must be estimated, the player should consider all reasonably available evidence about where the ball was located before it was movedMoved: 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).
For example, when estimating a ball’s original spot, the player should consider:
How the ball was found (for example, whether it was stepped on, kicked or movedMoved: 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) with a probing club or hand),
If it was visible or not, and
Its location relative to the ground and any growing objects, such as whether it was lying against or under the grass and how deep in the grass it was located.
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, the player is not required to replace loose impedimentsLoose Impediment: Any unattached natural object such as:(...Continued) (such as leaves) that may have been moved since loose impedimentsLoose Impediment: Any unattached natural object such as:(...Continued) are not part of 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) and, in many cases, it would be nearly impossible to reconstruct the original situation if loose impedimentsLoose Impediment: Any unattached natural object such as:(...Continued) were required to be replaced.
For example, while searching for a ball that is covered by leaves 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), the player kicks the ball and moves the leaves that were close to the ball. Although 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) on its original or estimated spot, the leaves do not need to be put back in their original position even when the ball would certainly have been lying under the leaves.
In Rule 7.4 and Exception 2 of Rule 9.4 (Accidental Movement Before Ball is Found), there is no penalty if a ball is accidentally movedMoved: 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) while “trying to find” it. “Trying to find” includes actions that can reasonably be considered part of searching for the ball, including the actions allowed by Rule 7.1 (How to Fairly Search for Ball). It does not include actions before a search begins such as walking to the area where the ball is expected to be.
For example, a player’s ball is hit towards a wooded area. The player is not aware the ball has struck a tree and deflected back towards the teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole they are playing.(...Continued). When the player is still some distance from the area where they believe the ball is likely to be and before starting to search, the player accidentally kicks their ball. Because this was not while trying to find the ball, the player gets one penalty stroke under Rule 9.4b for accidentally movingMoved: 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) their ball and 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.
In Clarification 7.4/2, a player gets a penalty if the ball is movedMoved: 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) when they are not trying to find it.
However, if a player accidentally movesMoved: 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) their ball when a search is temporarily stopped due to circumstances outside the player’s control, the player gets no penalty for movingMoved: 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) the ball.
For example:
The player stops searching for their ball to get out of the way of another group who is going to play through. While getting out of the way, the player accidentally movesMoved: 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) their ball.
The CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. suspends play and the player begins to leave the area and accidentally steps on and movesMoved: 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) their ball.