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Rules of the Game
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RULE 23: LOOSE IMPEDIMENTS
Definition of Loose Impediments - Loose Impediments are natural objects
including: stones, leaves, twigs, branches and the like, dung, and worms
and insects and casts or heaps made by them, provided they are not: fixed
or growing, solidly embedded, or adhering to the ball. Sand and loose soil
are loose impediments on the putting green, but not elsewhere. Snow and
natural ice, other than frost, are either casual water or loose impediments,
at the option of the player. Dew and frost are not loose impediments.
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| © Charles Crombie/courtesy USGA Archives |
In the December issue, we shared a story about the removal of loose impediments when the ball is lying through the green.
In this issue, let's look at loose impediments when they are on the putting green.
First, if you look at the definition of loose impediments in the Rules of Golf book, you will notice that sand and loose soil are defined as loose impediments only on the putting green.
The most common question we get at the Pacific Northwest Golf Association office is whether the sand and loose soil that is on the putting green can be removed if your ball is off the putting green. The answer is yes.
Rule 23 allows you to move loose impediments on the putting green no matter where your ball lies on the course.
When you remove loose impediments on the putting green, you are allowed to remove them by any means, provided you do not press anything down. This was a change to Rule 16 in 2004. There used to be a restriction to only using your hand or club.
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