Rules question · Rule 8.2b · Hard
Pressed down grass below my ball on a slope: is there a penalty?
Your ball lies on a steep slope in the rough, with a thick bush below it. So that the ball will not roll into it if it moves, you tread down the grass a little below the ball. What is the ruling?
Answer
Two penalty strokes
You must not deliberately alter the course to affect where a ball at rest might come to rest if it moves. That is two penalty strokes, even if your lie, stance and line of play stay the same. Caring for the course, such as smoothing footprints in a bunker, is an exception.