Rules question · Rule 15.1a · Expert
Removed a twig before replacing my ball: is there a penalty?
You marked and lifted your ball in the rough to identify it. It had been resting against a loose twig. Before replacing the ball, you remove the twig. What is the ruling?
Answer
One penalty stroke
Before replacing a lifted ball, you must not remove a loose impediment that would probably have moved the ball if it had still been there. Otherwise you get one penalty stroke. You do not have to put the twig back. If it moves away as you lift the ball, there is no penalty. This restriction does not apply on the putting green.