There are four different times when you are allowed, without penalty, to lift your ball and not clean it. Do you know these four different times?
- To see if the ball is cut or cracked.
Rule 4.2c Ball Becomes Cut or Cracked While Playing Hole
If a player reasonably believes that their ball has become cut or cracked during the hole being played:
• The Player may lift the ball to look at it, but:
• The spot of the ball must first be marked, and the ball must not be cleaned (except on the putting green).
To identify the ball.
Rule 7.3 If a ball might be a player’s ball but cannot be identified as it lies:
• The player may lift the ball to identify it (including by rotating it), but:
• The spot of the ball must first be marked, and the ball must not be cleaned more than needed to identify it (except on the putting green).
Because the ball interferes with play.
Rule 15.3b When Relief is Allowed from Interfering Ball.
If a player reasonably believes that another player’s ball anywhere on the course might interfere with the player’s own play:
• The player may require the other player to mark the spot and lift the ball, and the ball must not be cleaned (except when lifted from the putting green).
To see if the ball lies in a condition where relief is allowed.
Rule 16.4 If a player reasonably believes that their ball lies in a condition where free relief is allowed, but cannot decide that without lifting the ball.
• The player may lift the ball to see if relief is allowed, but
• The spot of the ball must first be marked, and the lifted ball must not be cleaned (except on the putting green).
Penalty – For cleaning a ball when not allowed or not marking the ball before lifting it:
The player gets one penalty stroke if they did not mark the spot of the ball before lifting it, or cleans the lifted ball when not allowed.
Here is this month’s golf etiquette tip: After leaving a bunker that is around the green, please knock the sand off your shoes before stepping onto the green.
