Purpose of Rule: Rule 8 covers a central principle of the game: “play the course as you find it.” When the player’s ball comes to rest, they normally have to accept the conditions affecting the stroke and not improve them before playing the ball. However, a player may take certain reasonable actions even if they improve those conditions, and there are limited circumstances where conditions may be restored without penalty after they have been improved or worsened.
To support the principle of “play the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee:(...Continued) as you find it,” this Rule restricts what a player may do to improveImprove: 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. any of these protected “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. ” (anywhere on or off the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee:(...Continued)) for the next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) the player will make:
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) of the player’s ball at rest,
The area of the player’s intended stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke.(...Continued),
The area of the player’s intended swing,
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) where the player will 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) or place a ball.
This Rule applies to actions taken both during a roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. and while play is stopped under Rule 5.7a.
It does not apply to:
The removal of loose impedimentsLoose Impediment: Any unattached natural object such as:(...Continued) or movable obstructionsMovable Obstruction: An obstruction that can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstruction or the course.(...Continued), which is allowed to the extent provided in Rule 15, or
An action taken while a player’s ball is in motion, which is covered by Rule 11.
Except in the limited ways allowed in Rules 8.1b, c and d, a player must not take any of these actions if they improveImprove: 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. the 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.:
(1) Move, bend or break any:
Growing or attached natural object,
Immovable obstructionImmovable Obstruction: Any obstruction that:(...Continued), integral objectIntegral Object: An artificial object defined by the Committee as part of the challenge of playing the course from which free relief is not allowed.(...Continued) or boundary objectBoundary Object: Artificial objects defining or showing out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings, from which free relief is not allowed.(...Continued), or
Tee-marker for the teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole they are playing.(...Continued) when playing a ball from that teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole they are playing.(...Continued).
(2) Move a loose impedimentLoose Impediment: Any unattached natural object such as:(...Continued) or movable obstructionMovable Obstruction: An obstruction that can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstruction or the course.(...Continued) into position (such as to build a stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke.(...Continued) or to improveImprove: 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. the line of playLine of Play: The line where the player intends their ball to go after a stroke, including the area on that line that is a reasonable distance up above the ground and on either side of that line.(...Continued)).
(3) Alter the surface of the ground, including by:
Replacing divots in a divot hole,
Removing or pressing down divots that have already been replaced or other cut turf that is already in place, or
Creating or eliminating holes, indentations or uneven surfaces.
(4) Remove or press down sand or loose soil.
(5) Remove dew, frost or water.
Penalty for Breach of Rule 8.1a: General PenaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play..
In preparing for or making a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued), a player may take any of these actions and there is no penalty even if doing so improvesImprove: 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. the 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.:
(1) Fairly search for their ball by taking reasonable actions to find and identify it (see Rule 7.1a).
(2) Take reasonable actions to remove loose impedimentsLoose Impediment: Any unattached natural object such as:(...Continued) (see Rule 15.1) and movable obstructionsMovable Obstruction: An obstruction that can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstruction or the course.(...Continued) (see Rule 15.2).
(3) Take reasonable actions to markMark: To show the spot where a ball is at rest by either:(...Continued) the spot of a ball and to lift 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 Rules 14.1 and 14.2.
(4) Ground the club lightly right in front of or right behind the ball. “Ground the club lightly” means allowing the weight of the club to be supported by the grass, soil, sand or other material on or above the ground surface.
But this does not allow:
Pressing the club on the ground, or
When a ball is in a bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued), touching the sand right in front of or right behind the ball (see Rule 12.2b(1)).
(5) Firmly place the feet in taking a stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke.(...Continued), including a reasonable amount of digging in with the feet in sand or loose soil.
(6) Fairly take a stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke.(...Continued) by taking reasonable actions to get to the ball and take a stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke.(...Continued).
But when doing so the player:
Is not entitled to a normal stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke.(...Continued) or swing, and
Must use the least intrusive course of action to deal with the particular situation.
(7) Make a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) or the backswing for a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) that is then made.
But when the ball is in a bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued), touching the sand in the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued) in taking the backswing is not allowed under Rule 12.2b(1).
Place a teeTee: An object used to raise a ball above the ground to play it from the teeing area. It must be no longer than 4 inches (101.6 mm) and conform with the Equipment Rules. in or on the ground (see Rule 6.2b(2)),
Move, bend or break any growing or attached natural object (see Rule 6.2b(3)), and
Alter the surface of the ground, remove or press down sand and soil, or remove dew, frost or water (see Rule 6.2b(3)).
(9) In a bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued), smooth sand to care for the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee:(...Continued) after a ball played from the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued) is outside the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued) (see Rule 12.2b(3)).
(10) On the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued), remove sand and loose soil and repair damage (see Rule 13.1c).
(11) Move a natural object to see if it is loose.
But if the object is found to be growing or attached, it must stay attached and be returned as nearly as possible to its original position.
If a player has improvedImprove: 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. the 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. by moving, bending or breaking an object in breach of Rule 8.1a(1) or moving an object into position in breach of Rule 8.1a(2):
There is no penalty if, before making the next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued), the player eliminates that 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. by restoring the original conditionsImprove: 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. in the ways allowed in (1) and (2) below.
But if the player improvesImprove: 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. the 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. by taking any of the other actions covered by Rules 8.1a(3)-(5), they cannot avoid penalty by restoring the original conditions.
Replacing a boundary objectBoundary Object: Artificial objects defining or showing out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings, from which free relief is not allowed.(...Continued) (such as a boundary stake) that had been removed or moving the boundary objectBoundary Object: Artificial objects defining or showing out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings, from which free relief is not allowed.(...Continued) back into its original position after it had been pushed to a different angle, or
Returning a tree branch or grass, or an immovable obstructionImmovable Obstruction: Any obstruction that:(...Continued) to its original position after it had been moved.
But the player cannot avoid penalty:
If the 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. is not eliminated (such as when a boundary objectBoundary Object: Artificial objects defining or showing out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings, from which free relief is not allowed.(...Continued) or branch has been bent or broken in a significant way so that it cannot be returned to the original position), or
By using anything other than the original object itself in trying to restore conditionsConditions 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., such as:
Using a different or additional object (for example, placing a different stake in a hole from which a boundary stake had been removed or tying a moved branch into place), or
Using other materials to repair the original object (for example, using tape to repair a broken boundary objectBoundary Object: Artificial objects defining or showing out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings, from which free relief is not allowed.(...Continued) or branch).
If the 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. are worsened after a player’s ball came to rest:
Restore the original conditions as nearly as possible.
MarkMark: To show the spot where a ball is at rest by either:(...Continued) the spot of the ball and lift, clean 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 on its original spot (see Rules 14.1 and 14.2), if it is reasonable to do so to restore the original conditionsConditions 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. or if material ended up on the ball when the conditionsConditions 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. were worsened.
If the worsened conditionsConditions 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. cannot be easily restored, lift 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 by placing it on the nearest spot (not nearer the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued)) that (1) has the most similar 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., (2) 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) of its original spot, and (3) is in the same area of the courseAreas of the Course: The five defined areas that make up the course: as that spot.
Exception – Lie of Ball Worsened When or After a Ball Is Lifted or Moved and Before It Is Replaced: This is covered by Rule 14.2d, unless 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 worsened when play was stopped and the ball was lifted in which case this Rule applies.
The player, including the player’s caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued),
Another person (other than a refereeReferee: An official named by the Committee to decide questions of fact and apply the Rules.(...Continued)) taking an action authorized by the player, or
Natural forcesNatural Forces: The effects of nature such as wind, water or when something happens for no apparent reason because of the effects of gravity. such as wind or water.
If the player improvesImprove: 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. the worsened conditions when not allowed to do so, the player gets the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. under Rule 8.1a
Penalty for Playing 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) in Breach of Rule 8.1d: General PenaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. under Rule 14.7a.
This Rule only covers a player’s deliberate actions to alter other physical conditions to affect their ball at rest or strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) to be made.
This Rule does not apply to a player’s actions to:
Deliberately deflect or stop their own ball or to deliberately alter any physical conditions to affect where the ball might come to rest (which is covered by Rules 11.2 and 11.3), or
Alter the player’s 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. (which is covered by Rule 8.1a).
A player must not deliberately take any actions listed in Rule 8.1a (except as allowed in Rule 8.1b, c or d) to alter any such other physical conditions to affect:
Where the player’s ball might go or come to rest after their next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) or a later strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued), or
Where the player’s ball at rest might go or come to rest if it 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) before the strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) is made (for example, when the ball is on a steep slope and the player is concerned that it might roll into a bush).
Exception – Actions to Care for the Course: There is no penalty under this Rule if the player alters any such other physical conditions to care for the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee:(...Continued) (such as smoothing footprints in a bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued) or replacing a divot in a divot hole).
Penalty for Breach of Rule 8.2: General PenaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play..
This Rule only covers a player’s deliberate actions to alter physical conditions to affect another player’s ball at rest or strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) to be made by that other player.
It does not apply to a player’s actions to deliberately deflect or stop another player’s ball in motion or to deliberately alter any physical conditions to affect where the ball might come to rest (which is covered by Rules 11.2 and 11.3).
A player must not deliberately take any of the actions listed in Rule 8.1a (except as allowed in Rule 8.1b, c or d) to:
ImproveImprove: 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. or worsen the 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. of another player, or
Alter any other physical conditions to affect:
Where another player’s ball might go or come to rest after that player’s next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) or a later strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued), or
Where another player’s ball at rest might go or come to rest if it 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) before the strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) is made.
Exception – Actions to Care for the Course: There is no penalty under this Rule if the player alters any such other physical conditions to care for the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee:(...Continued) (such as smoothing footprints in a bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued) or replacing a divot in a divot hole).
Penalty for Breach of Rule 8.3: General PenaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play..