GUIDES · BETSLIP DOCTOR
Can you remove a leaf or a rake beside a golf ball, and what if the ball moves?
Usually, yes, but first identify the object. A detached natural leaf is generally a loose impediment; a rake is an artificial obstruction and is movable when it can be moved with reasonable effort without damage, unless the Committee has classified it differently. If removing a loose impediment moves your ball, replace it and a one-stroke penalty usually applies off the putting green and teeing area, subject to search and other exceptions. If removing a movable obstruction moves it, replace the ball without penalty.
For Golfers deciding whether to remove an object beside an identified resting ball. · Updated
Classify the object before deciding what movement means
A loose impediment is an unattached natural object, such as a detached leaf. A natural item that is still growing, solidly embedded or sticking to the ball is not a loose impediment. Sand, loose soil, dew, frost and water are also excluded from that definition.
A rake is artificial and is ordinarily an obstruction. It is movable when it can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstruction or course. Boundary objects, integral objects and items a Committee treats as immovable are different cases, so do not assume every object that looks movable has the same status.
A loose impediment can carry a movement penalty
You may generally remove a loose impediment, but if your removal causes your ball to move, replace it on its original or estimated spot. Away from the putting green and teeing area, one penalty stroke usually applies. The Rules make exceptions, including a ball moved during a qualifying search, and other Rule 9.4b exceptions can also matter.
There is a separate restriction before replacing a ball lifted or moved from somewhere other than the putting green: do not deliberately remove a loose impediment that would likely have moved the ball if removed before the ball was lifted or moved. This restriction does not cover an impediment that was not there before the lift or movement, or one removed as a result of marking the spot, lifting, moving or replacing the ball, or causing the ball to move. An actual breach costs one penalty stroke, but the removed impediment need not be replaced. Separately, deliberately removing an object to affect a ball already in motion is restricted.
Moving a ball while removing a movable obstruction has no penalty
A player may generally remove a movable obstruction. If the ball moves while the player removes it, there is no penalty, but the ball must still be replaced on its original or estimated spot. Do not move a tee-marker when the ball will be played from that teeing area.
A ball resting in or on the obstruction is a different case with a relief procedure. This guide covers a ball beside the object. When its status is uncertain, check the competition’s Local Rules or ask the Committee.
A detached leaf and a rake
In a fictional round, a detached leaf beside a ball in the general area is stipulated to be a loose impediment. If removing it nudges the ball, the player replaces the ball and the usual one-stroke penalty applies. Beside another ball, a rake is stipulated to be a movable obstruction; if removing it moves that ball, the player replaces it without penalty. Neither example decides how a real course has classified an object.
Related questions
Is every leaf a loose impediment?
No. The object must be an unattached natural object. Growing or attached material, solidly embedded material, or material sticking to the ball does not meet the ordinary definition.
Is every rake a movable obstruction?
A rake is an artificial obstruction, but it is movable only if it can be moved with reasonable effort without damaging the obstruction or course and has not been classified differently.