Ball Covered in Grass Clippings

[NorfolkShaun]

With the rain recently I have had a couple of occasions where my ball is covered in crass clippings on the fairway. We are no longer on preferred lies so unable to lift clean and place.

I guess the grass clippings are classed as loose impediments, but there is a chance you ball could be sat on a lump of grass clippings, this is clearly frustrating when you have found the short stuff but are you allowed to clean / remove the grass from the ball?

 

[rulefan]

Grass cuttings 'adhering' to the ball are not considered to be Loose Impediments so they may not be removed. See the definition.

 

[NorfolkShaun]

Grass cuttings 'adhering' to the ball are not considered to be Loose Impediments so they may not be removed. See the definition.

Thanks for that, we thought this was the case. Have to say it is a real pain when you pop one down the fairway and it is covered in grass.

Is it ok to remove a lump of grass clippings if the ball is under them?

 

[Colin L]

Thanks for that, we thought this was the case. Have to say it is a real pain when you pop one down the fairway and it is covered in grass.

Is it ok to remove a lump of grass clippings if the ball is under them?

Provided, as rulefan says, you do not remove any that are adhering to the ball it is ok. And, of course, provided you don't cause the ball to move.

 

[NorfolkShaun]

Provided, as rulefan says, you do not remove any that are adhering to the ball it is ok. And, of course, provided you don't cause the ball to move.

That's great thank you

 

[BTatHome]

Provided, as rulefan says, you do not remove any that are adhering to the ball it is ok. And, of course, provided you don't cause the ball to move.

So in all likelihood your better off not touching it all. It would be impossible to remove individual clippings without the whole mass of the clippings moving.

 

[NorfolkShaun]

So in all likelihood your better off not touching it all. It would be impossible to remove individual clippings without the whole mass of the clippings moving.

Indeed, sadly we have a few fairways that were covered in big clumps of clippings Thursday

 

[atticusfinch]

If the clumps were made by the mower you just have to put up with them, but if they have been piled for removal the committee can mark them as gur and take relief under that rule.

 

[NorfolkShaun]

In fairness it is just clumps dropped by the mowers that gather when the grass is cut wet.

Any areas where clippings etc are placed is marked GUR

 

[duncan mackie]

If the clumps were made by the mower you just have to put up with them, but if they have been piled for removal the committee can mark them as gur and take relief under that rule.

if they are piled up for removal they are GUR by definition, and no marking as such is required to enable relief to be taken.

 

[BTatHome]

if they are piled up for removal they are GUR by definition, and no marking as such is required to enable relief to be taken.

Duncan, how do you know they are piled up for removal though, rather than just having been piled up?

 

[rulefan]

If they are in a pile just off the fairway or in the light rough and are not normally there, it would suggest they were going to be removed.

If they are dumped on the top of old cuttings or in the middle of the trees, it would suggest not.