Ask Linda #53-ID ball in hazard

[Note to readers: This e-mail is in response to Ask Linda #51-leaf on ball in hazard.]

But, Linda, could she not have first lifted the leaf to identify the ball and put the ball and leaf back and hit, without penalty?

Also on your rule #4, removing loose sand/dirt from putting surface, what if you are on the collar, may you remove sand in front of you that is on the collar? And/or on the putting surface, since you are not yet putting?
Lulu

Dear Lulu,
Your first question brings up a different issue (you may have noticed by now that golf has MANY issues!).

The reader in Ask Linda #51 removed a leaf that was covering her ball in the water hazard and then hit the ball, incurring a two-stroke penalty for moving a loose impediment in a hazard (Rule 13-4c). Your question regarding lifting the leaf in order to identify the ball as hers is a horse of a different color. If you must remove loose impediments in a hazard in order to identify your ball, you may do so. You must then put those loose impediments back on top of your ball, leaving only a small opening so that only part of your ball is visible (Rule 12-1).When you lift those loose impediments, there is no penalty if you move your ball, as long as you replace it. If the ball that you uncover is STILL unidentifiable (perhaps it is embedded), you should summon another player to observe you as you mark, lift, and identify the ball. If it is yours, you must replace it exactly the way you found it (for example, if it was embedded, you must re-embed it), and then put the loose impediments back on top.

Regarding your second question, you may remove sand and loose soil from the putting green, even if your ball does not lie on the putting green. You MAY NOT remove sand or loose soil from the collar (apron, frog hair, fringe–whatever you choose to call it, we’re talking about the first cut surrounding the green generally about a yard wide). There is one exception: If your ball is lying on the apron, and another player subsequently hits a sand shot and dumps sand on or around your ball, you may remove it. You are entitled to the lie and line of play that you had when your ball came to rest.

Linda

Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Reply from Lulu:
Wow you are good! Loved the sand from the bunker rule! Will keep this
email in my golf bag, as I see lots of people "wiping" their line. As a
matter of fact, being the rules person I am I may have done it myself, and I
think always wondered about it.