Can you remove loose impediments like leaves and stones?
By The Fairway Labs TeamReviewed
General play
Penalty: None
Can you remove loose impediments like leaves and stones?
PenaltyNone· under Rule 15.1
What to do
- 1Identify the impediment as natural — not fixed, growing, or solidly embedded.
- 2Remove it by hand or club, anywhere on the course, including bunkers and penalty areas.
- 3If your ball moves as a result off the green, replace it and add one penalty stroke.
- 4On the putting green, removing a loose impediment that moves your ball is no penalty.
Based on the modern Rules of Golf (Rule 15.1), as published by the USGA and The R&A and effective from the 2019 revision. Local rules can modify some situations — check the scorecard or with the committee when in doubt.
Related rulings
Get better at golf, one email at a time
Join the newsletter for new beginner guides, honest gear reviews, and tips that actually lower your scores. No spam, ever.