Dear P.C.

There are two areas of the Rules of Golf that you should become familiar with in order to play the game correctly given the scenario you presented. They are Rule 13, which deals with playing the ball as it lies, and Rule 23, which deals with loose impediments.

First, let’s deal with Rule 23 and loose impediments. Before we can proceed with your first question, make sure you determine whether or not your ball lies in a hazard, be it a water hazard or bunker. Be aware of your surroundings and check to see if there are any stakes marking a hazard before you move anything. If the ball is in a hazard, any of the items you mention, either fixed or loose impediment, cannot be moved without penalty. Only moveable obstructions, defined as anything artificial, can be moved when the ball lies in a hazard.

Loose impediments are defined as natural objects, such as stones, leaves, twigs, branches and the like, provided they are not fixed, growing, solidly embedded or are adhered to the golf ball. Therefore, any loose impediment outlined in your first question can be moved so long as it meets the definition outlined above and is not in a hazard. If you move any loose impediment, make sure the ball doesn’t move; otherwise, you will incur a two-stroke penalty.

Under Rule 13-2 “a player must not improve or allow to be improved the position or lie of his ball, the area of his intended stance or swing, his line of play or a reasonable extension of that line beyond the hole, or the area in which he is to drop or place a ball by any of the following actions; moving, bending or breaking anything growing or fixed.” However, a player incurs no penalty if the action occurs, “in fairly taking his stance, in making a stroke of the backward movement of his club for a stroke and the stroke is made.”

Therefore, when making a practice swing, be sure not to disturb or break any twigs, leaves or branches; otherwise, you will be penalized two strokes for breach of this rule. Once you make your actual swing, if any of the above move or are broken, you are not penalized. But remember, either you make an attempt to hit the ball or you don’t, so checking your swing in this case would be in violation of the rule.

Your last comment is encouraging. You should consult your local PGA Professional so your shots won’t stray into the woods. I hope this helps to clear up this somewhat complicated, and often misunderstood, ruling and action.

Mike Robichaud has been working in the golf business for almost 30 years. Before being hired by Renaissance GC this year, the Worcester native previously worked at Tatnuck CC in Worcester, The Balsams in New Hampshire, Indian Spring CC and Gleneagles CC in Florida, The Captains GC in Brewster, Mass. and The Ranch GC in Southwick, MA.