Rule 7: Ball Search: Finding and Identifying Ball
R. 7.1a: There is no penalty if you break natural objects while reasonably searching for your ball. Purposely pulling something growing out of the ground would not be reasonable. Nor would breaking a branch if there were another way to get to your ball.
R. 7.3: There is no requirement to invite another player to observe you lifting a ball for identification, but the ball must be marked before lifting or rotating it.
R. 7.4: There is no penalty if you, your opponent, or anyone else accidentally moves your ball while trying to find or identify it. The ball must be replaced on its original spot, which must be estimated if not known.
Rule 8: Course Played as It Is Found
A key to this Rule is understanding the Definition of “Conditions Affecting the Stroke.” These include the lie, area of intended stance, area of intended swing, line of play and the relief area (if applicable).
Int. 8.1a/3: If you break a branch that interferes with your stance or swing when it could have been avoided, you cannot avoid penalty by playing the ball in a different direction or taking relief in a different location where the branch would not interfere with your stroke.
Int. 8.1a/4: If a fence that lies out of bounds (not a boundary fence) leans onto the course, you may not push it out of your way. If you do so and then put it back before you hit, there is no penalty. You do have the option to take free relief from the section of fence (which is an immovable obstruction) that is on the course.
Int. 8.1a/6: You may not build a stance by altering the surface of the ground or dig your feet excessively into soft ground to get a firmer stance; any digging in must be reasonable. However, you may remove large amounts of leaves or pine needles, which are loose impediments.
R. 8.1b(10): On the putting green, youare permitted to remove sand and loose soil and repair damage on the putting green (see R. 13.1c for examples of “damage”).
In the teeing area, you may move, bend, or break any growing or attached natural object; you may remove or press down sand and soil; you may remove dew, frost, and water. These actions are restricted to the ground inside the teeing area; you may not break tree branches that are outside or overhang the teeing area [Int. 8.1b/5].
Int. 8.1b/7: If damage (such as a ball mark) is partially on the green and partially off, you may repair the entire area of damage.
R. 8.1c: If you improve certain conditions affecting your stroke, you may avoid penalty by restoring those conditions. Two examples: (1) replace a boundary stake that you had removed; (2) return a tree branch, grass, or an immovable obstruction to its original position.
You cannot avoid penalty if you are unable to restore the original condition. Two examples: (1) boundary stake or branch was broken; (2) place a different boundary stake in the hole or tape it back together.
R. 8.1d(1): After your ball is at rest, if an animal or any person (not you!) worsens the conditions affecting your stroke, you are entitled to restore the original condition (not improve it!). In doing so, you may mark, lift, clean, and replace your ball if necessary. If the original condition cannot be restored, you may place your ball on the nearest spot, no nearer the hole, within one club-length of the original spot, and in the same area of the course as that spot.
R. 8.1d(2): If you or your caddie or another person at your request worsens conditions, or they are worsened by natural forces such as wind or water, you may not restore the original conditions. Two examples: (1) a branch falls and alters your lie or stance; (2) you (or your caddie or partner) walk in a bunker to retrieve a rake and leave footprints on your line of play.
Int. 8.3/1: If another player asks you to break a branch on his line of play, and you do so, both you and the other player will get the general penalty.
Copyright © 2018 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
