quick rules question

[connor]

whilst playing today there where quite a few pine needles dropped from the tree onto a couple putting surfaces. I always just play and putt through them as its not anything major in my opinion but my dad always cleans them off his line. I questioned him over this and he said its allowed as there are a moveable obstruction and shouldnt be there. But im not so sure could just do with this one clearing up as we havent played a comp here but the qualifiers start in march and last thing i want is to get penalised for something stupid

 

[bobmac]

It's perfectly allowed

 

[connor]

thats cleared that one up then.. thanks bob. I was just unsure as it improves things for you that was all

 

[MashieNiblick]

Yep, perfectly legal.

They are actually "loose impediments" rather than "moveable obstructions"

Check the Definitions in the Rules and Rules 16-1(a) and 23.

If you don't have a copy of the Rules handy check out the Rules section on the R&A website

http://www.randa.org/en/Rules-and-Amateur-Status/Rules-of-Golf.aspx#/rules/

Hope that helps.

 

[DaveM]

You can also repair pitch marks on your line. But not marks caused by shoe spikes.