rule about brushing greens

aubreym

around a foot off the green but on the green between ball & the hole, there are loose stones & lot of sand resulting from a bunker shot by another pleyer in group before you.

can you brush the sand?

presume you can pick the stones, as like leaves they are loose impediments, but unsure of sand?

G1032

23-1. Relief
Except when both the loose impediment and the ball lie in or touch the same hazard, any loose impediment may be removed without penalty.
If the ball lies anywhere other than on the putting green and the removal of a loose impediment by the player causes the ball to move, Rule 18-2a applies.
On the putting green, if the ball or ball-marker moves in the process of the player removing any loose impediment, the ball or ball-marker must be replaced. There is no penalty provided the movement of the ball or ball-marker is directly attributable to the removal of the loose impediment. Otherwise, if the player causes the ball to move, he incurs a penalty of one stroke under Rule 18-2a.
When a ball is in motion, a loose impediment that might influence the movement of the ball must not be removed.

Loose Impediments
“Loose impediments’’ are natural objects including:
• stones, leaves, twigs, branches and the like,
• dung, and
• worms and insects and casts or heaps made by them, provided they are not:
• fixed or growing,
• solidly embedded, or
• adhering to the ball.
Sand and loose soil are loose impediments on the putting green, but not elsewhere.
Snow and natural ice, other than frost, are either casual water or loose impediments, at the option of the player.
Dew and frost are not loose impediments.

13-2/8.5 Player’s Lie Affected by Sand from Partner’s, Opponent’s or Fellow-Competitor’s Stroke from Bunker
Q. A’s ball is on the apron between the green and a bunker. A’s partner, opponent or fellow-competitor (B) plays from the bunker and deposits sand on and around A’s ball. Is A entitled to any relief?
A. Yes. A is entitled to the lie and line of play he had when his ball came to rest. Accordingly, in equity (Rule 1-4) he is entitled to remove the sand deposited by B’s stroke and lift his ball and clean it, without penalty.

mag

use the back of your hand when brushing loose impedements off the green or you can be accused of testing the surface

Webbs

mag wrote: »

use the back of your hand when brushing loose impedements off the green or you can be accused of testing the surface

Quite possibly one of the most ridiculous rules in golf!

AGC

mag wrote: »

use the back of your hand when brushing loose impedements off the green or you can be accused of testing the surface

Thought that had changed?

I was under the impression you can now sweep away loose impediments with whatever you want

G1032

AGC wrote: »

Thought that had changed?

I was under the impression you can now sweep away loose impediments with whatever you want

Ya. I think you can. All the pros do anyway.

Jul3s

Webbs wrote: »

Quite possibly one of the most ridiculous rules in golf!

Only if you follow madey uppy rules.

Webbs

Jul3s wrote: »

Only if you follow madey uppy rules.

Sorry should have said it was one of the most ridiculous rules, think they changed around 5years ago rules regarding loose impediments and was always a very grey area anyway.

mag

sorry, didnt know that was changed!