# Rule 15: Relief from Loose Impediments and Movable Obstructions (Including Ball or Ball-Marker Helping or Interfering with Play) (The R&A and USGA Rules of Golf)

Golf · Rule 15: Relief from Loose Impediments and Movable Obstructions (Including Ball or Ball-Marker Helping or Interfering with Play) · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/golf/laws/rule-15-relief-from-loose-impediments-and-movable-obstructions-including-ball-or-ball-marker-helping-or-interfering-with-play/)

Loose impediments and removing them, a ball that moves when one is removed, movable obstructions, a ball on the green helping play, and a ball or ball-marker interfering with play.

## 15.151 Loose Impediments, Movable Obstructions, Helping and Interfering

Loose impediments, a ball moved while removing one, movable obstructions, a ball helping play, and a ball or marker interfering.

### Test 1: Loose impediments

- 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)
- A loose impediment may be removed anywhere, in any way, by hand, foot, club or otherwise. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.1a)
- Loose impediments may be removed in a bunker too. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.1a; Rule 12.2a)
- Natural objects sticking to the ball are not loose impediments. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Loose Impediment)
- A live insect on a ball is a loose impediment. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Loose Impediment)
- 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)
- 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)
- Removing a loose impediment is free as long as the ball stays still. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.1a)
- 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)
- 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)

### Test 2: When removing a loose impediment moves the ball

- 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)
- On the putting green, accidentally moving the ball is free; it is replaced. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.1b; Rule 13.1d)
- 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))
- 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)
- The one-stroke penalty for moving the ball comes from Rule 9.4b. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.1b)
- Not replacing it means playing from a wrong place: the general penalty. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.1, Penalty)
- A loose impediment may be removed in any way, including breaking off part of it. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.1a)
- The ball goes back, and one stroke is added for moving it. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.1b)
- On the green there is no penalty, but the ball must still go back. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 13.1d)
- 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)

### Test 3: Movable obstructions

- 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)
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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)
- 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)
- Movable obstructions may be removed anywhere, bunkers included. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.2a(1); Rule 12.2a)
- The reference point is right under where the ball lay on the towel. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.2a(2))
- Removing a movable obstruction is one of the free cases. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.2a(1))
- 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)

### Test 4: A ball on the green helping play

- Rule 15.3a applies only to a ball at rest on the putting green. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3a)
- 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)
- Each player who agreed to leave a helping ball in place gets the general penalty. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3a)
- In stroke play a player required to lift may play first instead. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3a)
- The fringe is outside the green, so this particular protection does not reach it. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3a)
- 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)
- The lifted ball must be replaced on its original spot. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3a)
- Mark, lift, play, replace. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3a)
- Agreeing to leave a ball to help is penalised in stroke play. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3a)
- 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)

### Test 5: A ball or ball-marker interfering with play

- 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))
- A ball anywhere on the course that might interfere may be required to be lifted. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3b(2))
- 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))
- 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))
- The player may require the owner to move the ball-marker out of the way. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3c)
- It should be moved back by measuring from the new spot and reversing the steps used. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3c)
- 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)
- Measured out, then measured back. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3c)
- An interfering ball off the green is marked, lifted without cleaning and replaced. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 15.3b(2))
- 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))

Sources: Rules of Golf, effective January 2023 (The R&A and USGA), Rule 15 and the Definitions (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

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