Rules of Golf 2012-2015 Pocket Edition - The R&A

Rule 12 63
c. Searching for Ball in Water in Water Hazard
If a ball is believed to be lying in water in a water hazard, the player may,
without penalty, probe for it with a club or otherwise. If the ball in water
is accidentally moved while probing, there is no penalty; the ball must be
replaced, unless the player elects to proceed under Rule 26-1. If the moved
ball was not lying in water or the ball was accidentally moved by the player
other than while probing, Rule 18-2a applies.
d. Searching for Ball Within Obstruction or Abnormal Ground Condition
If a ball lying in or on an obstruction or in an abnormal ground condition is
accidentally moved during search, there is no penalty; the ball must be
replaced unless the player elects to proceed under Rule 24-1b, 24-2b or
25-1b as applicable. If the player replaces the ball, he may still proceed under
one of those Rules, if applicable.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 12-1:
Match Play – Loss of Hole; Stroke Play – Two Strokes.
(Improving lie, area of intended stance or swing, or line of play – see Rule 13-2)
Rule 12-2. Lifting Ball for Identification
The responsibility for playing the proper ball rests with the player. Each
player should put an identification mark on his ball.
If a player believes that a ball at rest might be his, but he cannot identify it, the
player may lift the ball for identification, without penalty. The right to lift a ball
for identification is in addition to the actions permitted under Rule 12-1.
Before lifting the ball, the player must announce his intention to his opponent
in match play or his marker or a fellow-competitor in stroke play and mark the
position of the ball. He may then lift the ball and identify it, provided that
he gives his opponent, marker or fellow-competitor an opportunity to observe
the lifting and replacement. The ball must not be cleaned beyond the extent
necessary for identification when lifted under Rule 12-2.
If the ball is the player’s ball and he fails to comply with all or any part
of this procedure, or he lifts his ball in order to identify it without having
good reason to do so, he incurs a penalty of one stroke. If the lifted