Rule 15: Relief from Loose Impediments and Movable Obstructions (Including Ball or Ball-Marker Helping or Interfering with Play)

Loose impediments are unattached natural objects such as stones, leaves and twigs. Sand, dew and growing things are not.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Loose Impediment · recall

A loose impediment may be removed anywhere, in any way, by hand, foot, club or otherwise.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.1a · applied

Loose impediments may be removed in a bunker too.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.1a; Rule 12.2a · applied

Natural objects sticking to the ball are not loose impediments.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Loose Impediment · applied

A live insect on a ball is a loose impediment.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Loose Impediment · applied

Snow and natural ice other than frost are loose impediments or, on the ground, temporary water, at the player's option.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Loose Impediment · recall

Removing a loose impediment that would likely have moved the ball, before replacing it off the green, costs one stroke.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.1a, Exception 1 · applied

Removing a loose impediment is free as long as the ball stays still.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.1a · applied

Had the stone been removed while the ball was still at rest, it would probably have moved the ball, so taking it away before replacing costs one penalty stroke; the stone need not go back.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.1a, Exception 1 · applied

Sand (D) is not a loose impediment. The pebble (A), leaf (B) and worm cast (C) are.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Loose Impediment · applied

Moving the twig itself was allowed, but because the ball moved as a result it costs one penalty stroke and the ball is replaced.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.1b; Rule 9.4b · applied

On the putting green, accidentally moving the ball is free; it is replaced.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.1b; Rule 13.1d · applied

A teed ball is not in play until a stroke is made, so it may be re-teed without penalty.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.1b; Rule 6.2b(6) · applied

Accidental movement during a search is free under Rule 7.4, and the ball is replaced.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.1b; Rule 7.4 · applied

The one-stroke penalty for moving the ball comes from Rule 9.4b.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.1b · recall

Not replacing it means playing from a wrong place: the general penalty.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.1, Penalty · applied

A loose impediment may be removed in any way, including breaking off part of it.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.1a · applied

The ball goes back, and one stroke is added for moving it.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.1b · applied

On the green there is no penalty, but the ball must still go back.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1d · applied

B's ball moved in the fairway. A is on the putting green, C is teed in the teeing area and D moved during a search, all free.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.1b · applied

A rake can be moved with reasonable effort. A sprinkler head and a cart path are immovable, and a boundary stake is a boundary object.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Movable Obstruction · recall

If the ball moves while a movable obstruction is removed, there is no penalty and it is replaced.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.2a(1) · applied

Off the green, the ball is lifted, the obstruction removed and a ball dropped within one club-length of the point right under it.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.2a(2) · applied

On the putting green the ball is placed on the estimated spot right under where it lay.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.2a(3) · applied

When it is known or virtually certain that the ball is in or on a movable obstruction, free relief is measured from where it last crossed its edge.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.2b · applied

Tee-markers must not be moved when the ball will be played from the teeing area.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.2a(1), Exception 1 · applied

Movable obstructions may be removed anywhere, bunkers included.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.2a(1); Rule 12.2a · applied

The reference point is right under where the ball lay on the towel.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.2a(2) · applied

Removing a movable obstruction is one of the free cases.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.2a(1) · applied

B is the only one that lifts away freely. A and D are fixed in place, and C marks the boundary.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Movable Obstruction · applied

Rule 15.3a applies only to a ball at rest on the putting green.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3a · recall

The player may require the owner to mark and lift a ball that might help anyone's play.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3a · applied

Each player who agreed to leave a helping ball in place gets the general penalty.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3a · applied

In stroke play a player required to lift may play first instead.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3a · applied

The fringe is outside the green, so this particular protection does not reach it.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3a · applied

Making a stroke without waiting, after knowing the ball was to be lifted, is a breach.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3, Penalty · applied

The lifted ball must be replaced on its original spot.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3a · applied

Mark, lift, play, replace.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3a · applied

Agreeing to leave a ball to help is penalised in stroke play.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3a · applied

A is on the putting green beside the hole. B is in the fringe, C in a bunker and D on the fairway, so Rule 15.3a does not cover them.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3a · applied

Interference means the ball might affect the stance or swing, could be hit on the line, or is close enough to distract.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3b(1) · recall

A ball anywhere on the course that might interfere may be required to be lifted.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3b(2) · applied

A player may not lift their ball just on their own belief; doing so without being required costs one stroke.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3b(2) · applied

A ball lifted for interfering must not be cleaned unless it was lifted from the putting green.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3b(2) · applied

The player may require the owner to move the ball-marker out of the way.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3c · applied

It should be moved back by measuring from the new spot and reversing the steps used.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3c · applied

Refusing to lift or move when required, followed by the other player's stroke, is a breach.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3, Penalty · applied

Measured out, then measured back.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3c · applied

An interfering ball off the green is marked, lifted without cleaning and replaced.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3b(2) · applied

D is far off to the side. A is in the area of the stance, B is on the line of play and C is close enough to distract.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3b(1) · applied