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

84
Rule 20
If a ball to be replaced is placed other than on the spot from which it was
lifted or moved and the error is not corrected as provided in Rule 20-6,
the player incurs the general penalty, loss of hole in match play or two
strokes in stroke play, for a breach of the applicable Rule.
b. Lie of Ball to be Placed or Replaced Altered
If the original lie of a ball to be placed or replaced has been altered:
(i) except in a hazard, the ball must be placed in the nearest lie most similar
to the original lie that is not more than one club-length from the original
lie, not nearer the hole and not in a hazard;
(ii) in a water hazard, the ball must be placed in accordance with Clause (i)
above, except that the ball must be placed in the water hazard;
(iii) in a bunker, the original lie must be re-created as nearly as possible and
the ball must be placed in that lie.
Note: If the original lie of a ball to be placed or replaced has been altered
and it is impossible to determine the spot where the ball is to be placed
or replaced, Rule 20-3b applies if the original lie is known, and Rule 20-3c
applies if the original lie is not known.
Exception: If the player is searching for or identifying a ball covered by sand
– see Rule 12-1a.
c. Spot Not Determinable
If it is impossible to determine the spot where the ball is to be placed
or replaced:
(i) through the green, the ball must be dropped as near as possible to the
place where it lay but not in a hazard or on a putting green;
(ii) in a hazard, the ball must be dropped in the hazard as near as possible
to the place where it lay;
(iii) on the putting green, the ball must be placed as near as possible to the
place where it lay but not in a hazard.
Exception: When resuming play (Rule 6-8d), if the spot where the ball is
to be placed is impossible to determine, it must be estimated and the ball
placed on the estimated spot.