Rules question · Rule 11.2a · Expert
Deliberately left a rake behind the green: is there a penalty?
You have a fast downhill putt with a bunker behind the putting green. Between them lies a rake that the group ahead left behind. You deliberately leave it there in case your putt is too strong. The ball runs past the hole and is stopped by the rake. What is the ruling?
Answer
No penalty, you play the ball as it lies
You did not put the rake there, you only left it where it already was. That is allowed. If you had put it there yourself and then deliberately left it because it might stop your ball, you would get two penalty strokes and would have to replay the putt.