Loose impediments
Rule 15 covers situations involving loose impediments. This advises on when and how loose impediments can be removed when they are in the general area, bunkers and penalty areas and also highlights the one-stroke penalty that applies should you move your ball in the process.
But what is a loose impediment? Well, essentially it is any unattached natural object, such as:
Stones, loose grass, leaves, branches and sticks.
Dead animals and animal waste. Worms, insects and similar animals that you can remove easily, and the mounds or webs they build (such as worm casts and ant hills).
Clumps of compacted soil (including aeration plugs).
You would hope you would never have to remove a dead animal or animal waste to play your next shot unimpeded, but these things do occasionally happen and are not too unusual on some of our more ‘au naturel’ courses.
The definition goes on to clarify that even natural objects are not classed as loose impediments if they are:
Attached or growing. Solidly embedded in the ground (that is, cannot be picked out easily).
Sticking to the ball.
It’s always wise to check that the thing you think is loose and removable is definitely not still attached or growing, as even some of the best players in the game have fallen foul of this distinction over the years. And don’t be tempted to try and remove any wet blades of grass sticking to your ball, even if they are unattached.
The definition of ‘loose impediments’ then concludes with certain special cases, some of which will be more common occurrences than others:
Sand and loose soil are not loose impediments (unless on the putting green).
Dew, frost and water are not loose impediments.
Snow and natural ice (other than frost) are either loose impediments or, when on the ground, temporary water, at the player’s option.
Spider’s webs are loose impediments even if they are attached to another object.
That final one may be a little niche, but the first one is well worth knowing as, again, players have fallen foul of it over the years. While you may brush sand and loose soil away on the putting green under Rule 13.1c, they are not loose impediments elsewhere, so don’t be tempted to brush them away from the fringe or fairway if they affect where your ball is lying or the shot you’re looking to play.
“DON’T BE TEMPTED TO REMOVE ANY WET BLADES OF GRASS FROM YOUR BALL”