Ball Comes to Rest Against Old Divot

[inthehole]

... so recently I was playing & my ball rolled up against a big honking Tiger Woods beaverpelt sized patch of loose grass that was once an airborne divot.    I considered it a loose impediment and removed it carefully without disturbing the ball.    Am I allowed to do this or do I have to hit the ball into an old patch of loose divot grass  - no telling what direction or how far it would go if that's the case ?    Thx

[Fourputt]

As long as your ball didn't move, you were good to go.  If the divot had still been attached, then you would not have been allowed to move it.  Decision 13-2/5 covers this:

Quote

13-2/5

 

Replacing or Removing Undetached Divot

Q.A player's ball comes to rest in front of a divot which is folded over but not completely detached. The divot interferes with his backswing. May the player replace or remove the divot before playing?

A.No. A divot which is not completely detached is not a loose impediment. It is something fixed and therefore its removal or replacement would be a breach of Rule 13-2 as the lie and area of intended swing would be improved.

 

[inthehole]

Thanks !    appreciate it

[ejimsmith]

If the divot is folded over, can I repair it before I take my swing?

[Asheville]

31 minutes ago, ejimsmith said:

If the divot is folded over, can I repair it before I take my swing?

Decision 13-2/5 Replacing or Removing Undetached Divot
Q. A player's ball comes to rest in front of a divot which is folded over but not completely detached. The divot interferes with his backswing. May the player replace or remove the divot before playing?

A. No. A divot which is not completely detached is not a loose impediment. It is something fixed and therefore its removal or replacement would be a breach of Rule 13-2 as the lie and area of intended swing would be improved.

[ejimsmith]

3 minutes ago, Asheville said:

Decision 13-2/5 Replacing or Removing Undetached Divot
Q. A player's ball comes to rest in front of a divot which is folded over but not completely detached. The divot interferes with his backswing. May the player replace or remove the divot before playing?

A. No. A divot which is not completely detached is not a loose impediment. It is something fixed and therefore its removal or replacement would be a breach of Rule 13-2 as the lie and area of intended swing would be improved.

What I want to know is can I repair it?  As in fold the divot back into its hole?  I have a feeling that the answer is no... :(

[Asheville]

20 minutes ago, ejimsmith said:

What I want to know is can I repair it?  As in fold the divot back into its hole?  I have a feeling that the answer is no... :(

No. A divot which is not completely detached is not a loose impediment. It is something fixed and therefore its removal or replacement would be a breach of Rule 13-2 as the lie and area of intended swing would be improved.

[Fourputt]

3 hours ago, ejimsmith said:

What I want to know is can I repair it?  As in fold the divot back into its hole?  I have a feeling that the answer is no... :(

Didn't you even read the decision that was quoted for you?

[Papa Steve 55]

Though as a courtesy to following players you should repair/replace after your shot. 

[iacas]

2 hours ago, Papa Steve 55 said:

Though as a courtesy to following players you should repair/replace after your shot. 

Yes. Thank you for adding that.

[ejimsmith]

16 hours ago, Fourputt said:

Didn't you even read the decision that was quoted for you?

I asked for clarification.  Do you have anything better to do than rip on strangers online?  

[Missouri Swede]

1 hour ago, ejimsmith said:

I asked for clarification.  

As I read the decision and your replies, you kept using the term "repair" as though that might be different from "replace" (in this context).  It wasn't clear (at least to me) what you wanted clarified, since the decision appears to answer your question directly. 

[Fourputt]

1 hour ago, ejimsmith said:

I asked for clarification.  Do you have anything better to do than rip on strangers online?  

The decision seemed pretty clear to me.  Sorry if that bothered you.  

There are only two things that the player is allowed to "repair" before making a stroke, and those are pitch marks and old hole plugs on the green.  If it's not on the green then you can't repair it.  

The only exception to that is if the damage occurs after your ball is at rest.  You are entitled to the lie your shot gave you.

[Martyn W]

20 hours ago, Fourputt said:

There are only two things that the player is allowed to "repair" before making a stroke,

Don't forget irregularities of surface on the teeing ground ;)