Q : Cleanig the ball on the fairway ?

[Oops!]

On my last round, I was told that it costs 1 penalty stroke if I pick up the ball on the fairway or in the rough just to clean it.

This came as a bit of a surprise to me as I understood that according to Rule 14.1c, a ball lifted from anywhere else as the green may *always* be cleaned except for the reasons expressly stated there ?!?

Have I misinterpreted this ? What is correct ? Can I pick up the ball from the fairway or rough without penalty (only) to clean it if none of the exceptions listed in Rule 14.1c apply or will it cost me 1 penalty stroke ?

 

[MACM85]

On my last round, I was told that it costs 1 penalty stroke if I pick up the ball on the fairway or in the rough just to clean it.

This came as a bit of a surprise to me as I understood that according to Rule 14.1c, a ball lifted from anywhere else as the green may *always* be cleaned except for the reasons expressly stated there ?!?

Have I misinterpreted this ? What is correct ? Can I pick up the ball from the fairway or rough without penalty (only) to clean it if none of the exceptions listed in Rule 14.1c apply or will it cost me 1 penalty stroke ?

If winter rules are in place then you can mark your ball in a cut area of the course and pick it up and clean it and return the ball no closer to the hole within the 6 inches of the marker

 

[rulie]

On my last round, I was told that it costs 1 penalty stroke if I pick up the ball on the fairway or in the rough just to clean it.

This came as a bit of a surprise to me as I understood that according to Rule 14.1c, a ball lifted from anywhere else as the green may *always* be cleaned except for the reasons expressly stated there ?!?

Have I misinterpreted this ? What is correct ? Can I pick up the ball from the fairway or rough without penalty (only) to clean it if none of the exceptions listed in Rule 14.1c apply or will it cost me 1 penalty stroke ?

It depends. If a Local Rule for lift, clean and place, or lift, clean and replace has been implemented by the Committee in charge of the course or competition, then there is no penalty. If such Local Rule has not been implemented, it's a breach of Rule 9.4b, one penalty stroke, and the ball must be replaced on its original spot.

 

[D-S]

If winter rules are in place then you can mark your ball in a cut area of the course and pick it up and clean it and return the ball no closer to the hole within the 6 inches of the marker

There is no obligation to mark the ball but it is advisable to do so.

 

[MACM85]

There is no obligation to mark the ball but it is advisable to do so.

The R&A

The R&A seeks to engage in and support activities for the benefit of the sport of golf from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

www.randa.org

Looks like it is a requirement to mark the ball before hand

 

[nickjdavis]

The R&A

The R&A seeks to engage in and support activities for the benefit of the sport of golf from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

www.randa.org

Looks like it is a requirement to mark the ball before hand

Only if it is to be RE-placed...i.e. put back in exactly the same place that it lay in.

When proceeding under so-called "winter rules" you are placing the ball in a different spot....there is no obligation to mark where your ball lay...but it is wise to do so to prevent someone claiming that you are placing outside the allowed distance (whatever that might be...6 inches, a scorecard length etc).

 

[D-S]

Only if it is to be RE-placed...i.e. put back in exactly the same place that it lay in.

When proceeding under so-called "winter rules" you are placing the ball in a different spot....there is no obligation to mark where your ball lay...but it is wise to do so to prevent someone claiming that you are placing outside the allowed distance (whatever that might be...6 inches, a scorecard length etc).

Beat me to it.

 

[Oops!]

How does this correspond to the first exception in Rule 9.4b – "Exception 1 – Player Allowed to Lift or Move Ball: There is no penalty when the player lifts the ball or causes it to move under a Rule that:

Allows the ball to be lifted and then replaced on its original spot, (...) ?

Does Rule 14.1c, sentence 2 – “A ball lifted from anywhere else may always be cleaned” – not constitute precisely such an exception within the meaning of Rule 9.4b, Exception 1?

P. S.: No Winter rules here … ! (even if it‘s cold ! )

 

[nickjdavis]

How does this correspond to the first exception in Rule 9.4b – "Exception 1 – Player Allowed to Lift or Move Ball: There is no penalty when the player lifts the ball or causes it to move under a Rule that:

Allows the ball to be lifted and then replaced on its original spot, (...) ?

Does Rule 14.1c, sentence 2 – “A ball lifted from anywhere else may always be cleaned” – not constitute precisely such an exception within the meaning of Rule 9.4b, Exception 1?

9.4b Exception 1 says you don't get a penalty if you lift the ball when proceeding under a rule that allows the ball to be lifted.

14.1c simply says that you can clean the ball when proceeding under a rule that allows the ball to be lifted...with the exception of the 4 instances listed.

Rule 14 does not give any authority for a player to lift his ball whenever he likes in order to clean it.....which was your original question posed in the OP.

In short there has to be a valid reason for you to lift your ball....wanting to clean the ball is not a valid reason.

 

[doublebogey7]

On my last round, I was told that it costs 1 penalty stroke if I pick up the ball on the fairway or in the rough just to clean it.

This came as a bit of a surprise to me as I understood that according to Rule 14.1c, a ball lifted from anywhere else as the green may *always* be cleaned except for the reasons expressly stated there ?!?

Have I misinterpreted this ? What is correct ? Can I pick up the ball from the fairway or rough without penalty (only) to clean it if none of the exceptions listed in Rule 14.1c apply or will it cost me 1 penalty stroke ?

I am not sure anyone so far has adressed this, but you cannot lift a ball JUST to clean it unless a local rule is in place allowing you to do so. This is often called winter rules and or preferred lies. Rule 14.1c merely covers how to lift and place/drop/replace, it does not authorise a player to left a ball merely to clean it.

Edit:Apologies nickdavis, I hadn't got as far as your post when posting this, but you have it spot on.