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Cleaning off a ball?

DrSlugger

By DrSlugger
in Golf Talk

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Note: This thread is 4668 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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DrSlugger Member

DrSlugger

Posted
Posted

So today we had a practice match, and I landed my ball on the green from 150 out. I repaired my ball mark and then went to mark my ball. When I picked up my ball I noticed it had mud on it so I grabbed my towel and cleaned it off. My partner told me "You know that is a stroke penalty, right?" I disagreed and told him that I can clean off my ball if it was lying on the green, and I marked it. He proceeded to tell me that it would be a penalty, but never enforced it.

I forgot to ask my coach before I left so I just decided to come and ask you guys if I was right. A second question also, if a ball has mud on it but is not on the green, can I clean off my ball as long as I marked where it last was? And if I can do I need to ask my playing partners first?


Valleygolfer Super Member

Valleygolfer

Posted
Posted

Not a penalty. Pros caddies clean the ball after every putt for the most part.

"My ball is on top of a rock in the hazard, do I get some sort of relief?"

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Strandly Great Member

Strandly

Posted
Posted

I think you can do it on the green because the lie is the same everywhere.  I don't think you can do it anywhere else though.


Dormie1360 Great Member

Dormie1360

Posted
Posted

R16-1b  tells us a ball on the putting green may be lifted, and if desired, cleaned.

I'm always amazed at some of the stuff I here from golfers with regards to rules.

As to your second question, you are not allowed to clean a ball that is off the green. (Assuming you are not lifting the ball under another rule.)  A ball lifted under another rule may be cleaned unless it is being lifted for identification, because it assists or interferes with another player, or if it is being checked for damage.

An uncommon exception is if you needed to identify your ball, and it needed to be cleaned to the extent necessary to identify it, you may do so.  That being the case, you still need to follow the procedure under R12-2 for identifying your ball.

Regards,

John

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joekelly Great Member

joekelly

Posted
Posted

I just love the 'lift, clean and place' rule. Makes it all so fair and even.  Just off the green? Feel free to move the ball here or there, within the distance limit, no nearer the hole.


Chris223 Dedicated Member

Chris223

Posted
Posted

So today we had a practice match, and I landed my ball on the green from 150 out. I repaired my ball mark and then went to mark my ball. When I picked up my ball I noticed it had mud on it so I grabbed my towel and cleaned it off. My partner told me "You know that is a stroke penalty, right?" I disagreed and told him that I can clean off my ball if it was lying on the green, and I marked it. He proceeded to tell me that it would be a penalty, but never enforced it.

I forgot to ask my coach before I left so I just decided to come and ask you guys if I was right. A second question also, if a ball has mud on it but is not on the green, can I clean off my ball as long as I marked where it last was? And if I can do I need to ask my playing partners first?

lol tell your partner to quit citing rules that he has no clue about and worry about his own game.

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Best Score 2017:  82 (Traditions at the Glen, Par 70)

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Note: This thread is 4668 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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