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

Relief Situations and Procedure
Rule 20
Rule 20 81
Lifting, Dropping and Placing; Playing from
Wrong Place
Definitions
All defined terms are in italics and are listed alphabetically in the Definitions
section – see pages 22-35.
20-1. Lifting and Marking
A ball to be lifted under the Rules may be lifted by the player, his partner
or another person authorised by the player. In any such case, the player is
responsible for any breach of the Rules.
The position of the ball must be marked before it is lifted under a Rule that
requires it to be replaced. If it is not marked, the player incurs a penalty of
one stroke and the ball must be replaced. If it is not replaced, the player
incurs the general penalty for breach of this Rule but there is no additional
penalty under Rule 20-1.
If a ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved in the process of lifting the
ball under a Rule or marking its position, the ball or ball-marker must be
replaced. There is no penalty, provided the movement of the ball or ballmarker
is directly attributable to the specific act of marking the position of or
lifting the ball. Otherwise, the player incurs a penalty of one stroke under
this Rule or Rule 18-2a.
Exception: If a player incurs a penalty for failing to act in accordance with
Rule 5-3 or 12-2, there is no additional penalty under Rule 20-1.
Note: The position of a ball to be lifted should be marked by placing a
ball-marker, a small coin or other similar object immediately behind the ball.
If the ball-marker interferes with the play, stance or stroke of another player,
it should be placed one or more clubhead-lengths to one side.
20-2. Dropping and Re-Dropping
a. By Whom and How
A ball to be dropped under the Rules must be dropped by the player
himself. He must stand erect, hold the ball at shoulder height and arm’s