Tee Box Question

[cm70056]

Yesterday while playing a round at the local course, I came to a different situation. I teed the ball up, took my practice routine, and then I stepped up to the ball to hit. I could not get comfortable at the ball because my left foot was actually in a bit of a low spot. My question is, am I allowed to pick the ball up and move it on the tee box, without penalty, even though I was in my "ready to hit" position? My opinion is that I do not incur a penalty in doing so as long as I do not make an attempt to put the ball in play.

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by cm70056

Yesterday while playing a round at the local course, I came to a different situation. I teed the ball up, took my practice routine, and then I stepped up to the ball to hit. I could not get comfortable at the ball because my left foot was actually in a bit of a low spot. My question is, am I allowed to pick the ball up and move it on the tee box, without penalty, even though I was in my "ready to hit" position? My opinion is that I do not incur a penalty in doing so as long as I do not make an attempt to put the ball in play.

The ball is not in play until you have made a stroke at it from the teeing ground.  Since it's not in play, you can reposition it if you want to.  You can do it as many times as you want, as long as you don't unduly delay play in the process.

[TourSpoon]

You can even tap the ball and tee down with your club. Of course this is an ultra cool pro move that you want to practice before hand for the obvious reason of looking like a schmoe if you knock the ball off the tee.