Rule 12 43
PLAYING THE BALL
Rule 12.
Searching for and Identifying Ball
Definitions
All defined terms are in italics and are listed alphabetically in
the Definitions section — see pages 5-18.
12-1. Searching for Ball; Seeing Ball
In searching for his ball anywhere on the course, the player may
touch or bend long grass, rushes, bushes, whins, heather or the
like, but only to the extent necessary to find and identify it,
provided that this does not improve the lie of the ball, the area
of his intended stance or swing or his line of play.
A player is not necessarily entitled to see his ball when making
a stroke.
In a hazard, if a ball is believed to be covered by loose impediments
or sand, the player may remove by probing or raking
with a club or otherwise, as many loose impediments or as much
sand as will enable him to see a part of the ball. If an excess is
removed, there is no penalty and the ball must be re-covered
so that only a part of the ball is visible. If the ball is moved during
the removal, there is no penalty; the ball must be replaced
and, if necessary, re-covered. As to removal of loose impediments
outside a hazard, see Rule 23-1.
If a ball lying in or on an obstruction or in an abnormal ground
condition is accidentally moved during search, there is no penalty;
the ball must be replaced, unless the player elects to
proceed under Rule 24-1b, 24-2b or 25-1b as applicable. If the
player replaces the ball, he may still proceed under Rule 24-1b,
24-2b or 25-1b if applicable.
If a ball is believed to be lying in water in a water hazard, the
player may probe for it with a club or otherwise. If the ball is
moved in probing, it must be replaced, unless the player elects
to proceed under Rule 26-1. There is no penalty for causing the
44 Rule 12
ball to move, provided the movement of the ball was directly
attributable to the specific act of probing. Otherwise, the player
incurs a penalty stroke under Rule 18-2a.
Penalty for Breach of Rule 12-1:
Match play — Loss of hole; Stroke play — Two strokes.
12-2. Identifying Ball
The responsibility for playing the proper ball rests with the player.
Each player should put an identification mark on his ball.
If a player has reason to believe a ball at rest is his and it is necessary
to lift the ball in order to identify it, he may lift the ball,
without penalty, in order to do so.
Before lifting the ball, the player must announce his intention
to his opponent in match play or his marker or a fellow-competitor
in stroke play and mark the position of the ball. He may then
lift the ball and identify it, provided that he gives his opponent,
marker or fellow-competitor an opportunity to observe the lifting
and replacement. The ball must not be cleaned beyond the
extent necessary for identification when lifted under Rule 12-2.
If the ball is the player’s ball and he fails to comply with all or
any part of this procedure, or he lifts his ball in order to identify
it when not necessary to do so, he incurs a penalty of one stroke.
If the lifted ball is the player’s ball, he must replace it. If he
fails to do so, he incurs the general penalty for a breach of
Rule 12-2, but there is no additional penalty under this Rule.
Note: If the original lie of a ball to be placed or replaced has
been altered, see Rule 20-3b.
*Penalty for Breach of Rule 12-2:
Match play — Loss of hole; Stroke play — Two strokes.
*If a player incurs the general penalty for a breach of Rule 12-2,
there is no additional penalty under this Rule.
