12-1. Seeing Ball; Searching for Ball
A player is not
necessarily entitled to see his ball when making a stroke.
In searching for
his ball anywhere on the course, the player may touch or bend long grass,
rushes, bushes, or the like, but only to the extent necessary to find or
identify the ball, provided that this does not improve the lie of the ball, the
area of his intended stance or swing or his line of play. If the ball is moved,
Rule 18-2a applies except as provided in clauses a - d of this Rule.
In addition to the
methods of searching for and identifying a ball that are otherwise permitted by
the Rules, the player may search for and identify a ball under this Rule as
follows:
a. Searching for or Identifying Ball Covered by Sand
If the player’s ball lying anywhere on the
course is believed to be covered by sand, to the extent that he cannot find or
identify it, he may, without penalty, touch or move the sand with a club, his
hand or otherwise in order to find or
identify the ball. If the ball is found, and identified as his, the player must
re-create the lie as nearly as possible by replacing the sand. If the ball is
moved during the touching or moving of sand while searching for or identifying
the ball, there is no penalty; the ball must be replaced and the lie
re-created.
In re-creating a lie under this Rule, the
player is permitted to leave a small part of the ball visible.
b.
Searching for or Identifying Ball Covered by Loose Impediments
If
the player’s ball at rest anywhere on the course is believed to be covered by
loose impediments to the extent that he cannot find or identify it, he may,
without penalty, touch or move loose impediments in order to find or identify
the ball. If the ball is moved during the touching or moving of loose
impediments while searching for or identifying the ball, there is no penalty;
the ball must be replaced and the lie re-created to reflect its state prior to
the ball moving.
In re-creating a lie under this Rule, the
player is permitted to leave a small part of the ball visible.
c. Searching for Ball in Water in Water Hazard
If a ball is believed to be lying in water in
a water hazard, the player may, without penalty, probe for it with a club, his
hand or otherwise. If the ball is accidentally moved while probing, there is no
penalty; the ball must be replaced, unless the player elects to proceed under
Rule 26-1.
d. Searching for Ball Within Obstruction or Abnormal
Ground Condition
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 one of those Rules, if applicable.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 12-1:
Match Play – Loss of Hole; Stroke Play – Two Strokes.
(Improving lie, area of intended stance or
swing, or line of play – see Rule 13-2)
Rule
12-2. Lifting Ball for Identification
The responsibility for playing the proper
ball rests with the player. Each player should put an identification mark on
his ball.
If a player believes that a ball at rest
might be his, but he cannot identify it, the player may lift the ball for
identification, without penalty. The right to lift a ball for identification is
in addition to the actions permitted under Rule 12-1.
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 this Rule.
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 without having good reason to do so, he incurs a penalty of one
stroke. If the lifted ball is the player’s ball, he must replace it.
Note: If the original lie of a ball to be 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.
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