Quick Rules Question

BraveDonut · 02-01-2018 12:48PM #1

Wet leaves in a sand bunker.
Can you remove them (without disturbing the ball) the same way that you can remove a stone?

Thanks

02-01-2018 02:41PM

No they cannot be moved

whizbang · 02-01-2018 05:55PM

Don't take it as gospel that you can remove stones either. its only a local rule, should be checked beforehand.
You can take an unplayable -drop in the bunker, or go back and hit it again.

New proposed changes will allow moving loose impediments..

Seve OB · 02-01-2018 07:44PM

I’m pretty sure you can’t move anything natural out of a bunker, leaves, twigs, stones.

Unless of course there is a local rule enabling it.

HighLine · 03-01-2018 02:37PM

13-4. Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions
Except as provided in the Rules, before making a stroke at a ball that is in a hazard (whether a bunker or a water hazard) or that, having been lifted from a hazard, may be dropped or placed in the hazard, the player must not:

a.
Test the condition of the hazard or any similar hazard;

b.
Touch the ground in the hazard or water in the water hazard with his hand or a club; or

c.
Touch or move a loose impediment lying in or touching the hazard.

"Loose impediments" are natural objects, including:

stones, leaves, twigs, branches and the like,
............

Some local rules allow for stone removal from bunkers.. check local rules before playing.

BraveDonut · 03-01-2018 06:10PM

Thanks all - My club must have a local rule for the removal of stones.
I was not aware that it was a local rule.

The instance was where my ball came to rest in a large pile of leaves where it was only partially visible - I had to lift it slightly to identify it. Wasn't sure if I could remove the surrounding leaves.

HighLine · 03-01-2018 06:33PM

BraveDonut wrote: »

Thanks all - My club must have a local rule for the removal of stones.
I was not aware that it was a local rule.

The instance was where my ball came to rest in a large pile of leaves where it was only partially visible - I had to lift it slightly to identify it. Wasn't sure if I could remove the surrounding leaves.

Yes that is permitted. Another classic example of the flaws in the current rule book in that, the rule is not easily found and is in a different section than my previously quoted rule. Hopefully 2019 sees a simplified rules system/book.

12-1. Seeing Ball; Searching for Ball

b. Searching for or Identifying Ball Covered by Loose Impediments in Hazard
In a hazard, if the player's ball is believed to be covered by loose impediments to the extent that he cannot find or identify it, he may, without penalty, touch or move loose impediments in order to find or identify the ball. If the ball is found or identified as his, the player must replace the loose impediments. If the ball is moved during the touching or moving of loose impediments while searching for or identifying the ball, Rule 18-2 applies; if the ball is moved during the replacement of the loose impediments, there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced.

If the ball was entirely covered by loose impediments, the player must re-cover the ball but is permitted to leave a small part of the ball visible.

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