Rule 8: Course Played as It Is Found

The protected conditions are the lie, the area of intended stance and swing, the line of play and the relief area.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1 · recall

The area of intended swing is one of the five conditions affecting the stroke that Rule 8.1 protects.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1 · recall

A breach of Rule 8.1a is the general penalty.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1a, Penalty · recall

Replacing a divot in a divot hole alters the ground; if it improves the conditions affecting the stroke it is not allowed.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1a(3) · applied

Removing dew, frost or water that improves the conditions affecting the stroke is not allowed outside the teeing area.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1a(5) · applied

Rule 8.1 covers actions taken both during a round and while play is stopped.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1 · recall

Moving a loose impediment or movable obstruction into position to improve the stance or line is a breach.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1a(2) · applied

Bending a growing branch to improve the area of intended swing, and then playing, is a breach of Rule 8.1a.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1a(1) · applied

Pressing down sand is one of the breaches that cannot be cancelled by restoring the conditions.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rules 8.1a(4) and 8.1c · applied

Holding a branch out of the swing (A) improves a protected condition. Soling the club lightly (B), setting the feet (C) and removing a loose twig (D) are allowed.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rules 8.1a and 8.1b · applied

Grounding lightly means allowing the club's weight to be supported by the grass, soil or sand, without pressing it down.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1b(4) · recall

Firmly placing the feet, including a reasonable amount of digging in, is allowed.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1b(5) · recall

In fairly taking a stance a player is not entitled to a normal stance or swing and must use the least intrusive course of action.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1b(6) · applied

A natural object may be moved to see if it is loose; if growing or attached, it must stay attached and be returned.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1b(11) · recall

Making a stroke, or the backswing for a stroke that is then made, is allowed even if it improves the conditions.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1b(7) · applied

On the putting green a player may remove sand and loose soil and repair damage.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1b(10); Rule 13.1c · recall

Taking reasonable actions to mark, lift and replace the ball under Rules 14.1 and 14.2 is allowed.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1b(3) · recall

A fair stance uses the least intrusive course of action, without a right to a normal stance or swing.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1b(6) · applied

Testing a natural object is allowed, but an attached one must stay attached and be returned to its position.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1b(11) · applied

A soles the club lightly. B presses it down, C touches the sand in a bunker and D flattens the grass with a foot.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1b(4); Rule 12.2b(1) · applied

A breach by moving, bending or breaking an object can be cancelled by restoring the original conditions before the stroke.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1c · recall

Breaches by altering the ground, sand, soil, dew or water cannot be cancelled by restoring the conditions.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1c · recall

Rule 8.1 does not apply to removing loose impediments or movable obstructions, which Rule 15 covers.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1 · recall

Replacing the original boundary object so the improvement is eliminated avoids the penalty.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1c(1) · applied

Penalty cannot be avoided by using a different or additional object to restore the conditions.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1c(1) · applied

Returning a movable part of an immovable obstruction to its intended position, such as a sprinkler head, is allowed.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1a; Additional Clarifications 8.1a/10 · applied

If the object cannot be returned so that the improvement is eliminated, the penalty applies.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1c(1) · applied

A movable part of an immovable obstruction may be returned to its intended position without penalty.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Additional Clarifications 8.1a/10 · applied

Moving an object into position can be cancelled by removing it before the stroke.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1c(2) · applied

Letting the branch go back to where it was (B) removes the improvement. Tying it (A), taping it (C) or adding another stick (D) does not.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1c(1) · applied

If another person or an animal worsens the conditions, the player may restore them as nearly as possible.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1d(1) · recall

Conditions worsened by natural forces such as wind or water must not be improved.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1d(2) · applied

Conditions worsened by the player or their caddie must not be improved.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1d(2) · applied

The ball may be placed on the nearest spot, not nearer the hole, with the most similar conditions, within a club-length and in the same area.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1d(1) · recall

When material ends up on the ball as the conditions are worsened by another, the ball may be marked, lifted, cleaned and replaced.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1d(1) · applied

Improving conditions worsened by the player or caddie, when not allowed, is the general penalty.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1d(2) · recall

The nearest spot with the most similar conditions must be in the same area of the course as the original spot.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1d(1) · recall

Turf thrown by someone else can be cleared away and the ball cleaned, then the ball goes back where it lay.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1d(1) · applied

If the damage cannot simply be undone, the ball moves to the closest spot with a similar lie, no nearer the hole.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1d(1) · applied

Conditions worsened by another person after the ball came to rest may be restored without penalty.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1d(1) · applied

Deliberately altering physical conditions to affect where the ball might go if it moves is not allowed.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.2b · applied

There is no penalty for altering conditions to care for the course, such as smoothing footprints in a bunker.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.2b, Exception · applied

A player must not deliberately improve or worsen the conditions affecting another player's stroke.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.3b · recall

Rule 8.3 prohibits deliberately improving, as well as worsening, another player's conditions.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.3b · recall

Rule 8.2 does not cover deliberately deflecting or stopping a ball in motion; Rules 11.2 and 11.3 do.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.2a · recall

In Four-Ball either partner may act for the side, and the partner's action concerning the player's ball is treated as the player's.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.2; Rule 23.5 · recall

Breaches of Rules 8.2 and 8.3 bring the general penalty.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rules 8.2 and 8.3, Penalty · recall

Course-care actions such as smoothing footprints are exempt even if they affect where a ball might go.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.2b, Exception · applied

Deliberately altering physical conditions to affect where another player's ball goes is a breach of Rule 8.3.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.3b · applied

Stamping the turf where the next shot will land (C) is altering conditions to affect the ball. Raking (A), replacing a divot (B) and repairing a ball-mark (D) are course care.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.2b · applied