Rule 23: Loose Impediments
- Loose impediments are natural objects that are not growing or fixed - such as loose leaves, twigs, fallen branches, stones and insects. You may remove a loose impediment except when your ball and the loose impediment lie in a bunker or water hazard. (Exception see Rule 12-1)
- If your ball moves as a result of removing a loose impediment, you incur a penalty of one stroke unless your ball is on the putting green.
- Obstructions are artificial or man-made objects. Bottles, cans, rakes, etc., are movable obstructions. Sprinkler heads, shelters, cart paths, etc., are immovable obstructions.
- Movable obstructions anywhere on the course may be removed. If the ball moves when moving an obstruction, there's no penalty and the ball must be replaced.
- You may drop your ball away from an immovable obstruction if it interferes with your swing or stance. Find the nearest point not nearer the hole where the ball could be played without interference with your swing or stance. Drop the ball within one club-length of that point. Note: It is good practice not to pick up the ball until you have established the nearest point of relief.
- Casual water is any temporary water caused by rain or over-watering. Ground under repair is any damaged area, which the Committee has marked as such.
- If your ball or your stance is in casual water, ground under repair or a burrowing animal hole, you may either play the ball as it lies or find the nearest place not nearer the hole which gives you relief, and drop the ball within one club-length of that place.
- If your ball is in casual water, etc., and you cannot find it, determine where the ball entered the area and drop a ball within one club-length of that place without penalty.
- If your ball is on the wrong putting green, find the nearest place off the green, not nearer the hole, and drop the ball within one club-length of that place.
- Water hazard margins are identified by yellow stakes or lines. Lateral water hazard margins are identified by red stakes or lines.
- If your ball is in a water hazard or a lateral water hazard, you may play it as it lies. If you cannot find it or do not wish to play it, add a penalty stroke and do one of the following:
- a. drop and play another ball from where you last played;
- b. drop a ball behind the water hazard as far back as you wish on a straight line from the hole, keeping where your ball last crossed the hazard margin between the hole and where you drop the ball;
- c. if it’s a lateral water hazard, you may also drop a ball within two club-lengths of where the ball last crossed the hazard margin, no nearer to the hole.
- a. drop and play another ball from where you last played;
