The ruling in plain English
You may normally remove a loose, unattached natural object such as a leaf, stick or stone anywhere on or off the course. Be careful near your ball: if removing it causes the ball to move, replace the ball, and you will normally add one penalty stroke when it was outside the putting green or teeing area.
Apply the Rule on the course
If removing it moves a ball at rest, the ball must be replaced. A one-stroke penalty normally applies when that ball was outside the putting green or teeing area.
- 1
Confirm that the object is natural and unattached, not artificial, fixed or growing.
- 2
Remove it in any way, including with your hand, foot or club.
- 3
If the ball moves because of the removal, replace it on its original spot.
- 4
Add one penalty stroke if the ball was outside the putting green or teeing area, unless another Rule 9.4b exception applies.
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What else matters
Normally one penalty stroke if removal moves a ball at rest outside the putting green or teeing area; the ball must also be replaced.
Exceptions
- Do not deliberately remove a loose impediment to affect a ball in motion.
- An attached, growing or solidly embedded natural object is not a loose impediment.
- The ball-moved penalty differs when the ball was on the putting green or in the teeing area.
Common mistakes
- Treating sand, loose soil, dew or water as a loose impediment.
- Treating an artificial rake or bottle as a loose impediment.
Remember: Natural and loose: move carefully. Ball moves: replace and check the penalty.
R&A Rule 15.1
Independent plain-English guide. The current Rules, Interpretations and applicable Local Rules control.