| It seems that many golfers are confused as to | | | | together make up an obstruction. An example of |
| whether objects on the course are loose | | | | this would be a manufactured path (immovable |
| impediments or movable obstructions. This is an | | | | obstruction) made of wood chips. If a player’s |
| important distinction to make, as there are a | | | | ball lies on such a path and he chooses not to |
| number of relevant Rules where players could | | | | take relief then he may move any of the wood |
| incur penalties if they get it wrong. | | | | chips before making his stroke, providing that he |
| In fact, in most cases, the distinction should be | | | | does not move his ball in doing so, |
| easy enough. Loose Impediments are natural | | | | Except when both the loose impediment and the |
| objects and movable obstructions are anything | | | | ball lie in, or touch, the same bunker or water |
| artificial that can be moved without unreasonable | | | | hazard, any loose impediment may be moved. But |
| effort. Here is a sample list of some of the items | | | | if the player causes their ball to move while |
| that may be encountered on the golf course | | | | removing the loose impediment, they are |
| during a round; | | | | penalised one stroke and the ball must be |
| Loose Impediments (natural) | | | | replaced, unless the ball is on the putting green |
| Stones | | | | when there is no penalty. |
| Leaves | | | | Movable obstructions can be removed anywhere |
| Branches and twigs | | | | on the course, including when the ball lies in a |
| Pine cones | | | | hazard, and there is no penalty if the ball moves |
| Dung and droppings | | | | during the removal, but again it must be replaced |
| Insects | | | | where it was before it was moved. If the ball lies |
| Worms and their casts | | | | in or on the obstruction, the ball may be lifted and |
| Spiders and their webs | | | | the obstruction removed. The ball must then be |
| Half-eaten fruit | | | | dropped, or on the putting green placed, as near |
| Fruit skins | | | | as possible to the spot directly under the place |
| Ant hills | | | | where the ball lay in or on the obstruction, not |
| Dead birds and animals | | | | nearer the hole. |
| Aeration plugs | | | | As already mentioned, if a player’s ball lies in |
| Clods of earth | | | | a bunker they are not permitted to remove any |
| Gravel | | | | loose impediment from that bunker. However, |
| Crushed shells | | | | very often there will be a Local Rule that says, |
| Wood chips | | | | "Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions", |
| | | | because it is considered that the stones could |
| Movable Obstructions (artificial) | | | | represent a danger to players if they are hit |
| Bunker rakes | | | | during a stroke. This is a good illustration of why it |
| Other players’ golf clubs | | | | is so important to read the Local Rules before |
| Stakes (except out of bounds) | | | | commencing a round on an unfamiliar course. |
| Signage and ropes | | | | Whilst on the subject of bunkers, if a player |
| Bottles and cans | | | | cannot find their ball in a bunker because it is |
| Score cards | | | | covered by sand, leaves or other loose |
| Pens and pencils | | | | impediments, they are permitted to probe or |
| Paper, tissues | | | | rake with a club or otherwise, as many loose |
| Plastic bags | | | | impediments, or as much sand, as will enable |
| Packets and boxes | | | | them to see a part of their ball. When making a |
| Toys | | | | stroke out of a bunker, or water hazard, the |
| Match sticks or cigarettes | | | | player may not touch any loose impediment in |
| Abandoned balls | | | | that hazard before making their stroke, which |
| Loose stones from a wall | | | | commences with the downswing. So, for |
| Wood manufactured into planks | | | | example, if a player brushes leaves in a bunker |
| Cables | | | | during their practice stroke or backswing they |
| Doors or windows | | | | incur a penalty of two strokes in stroke play, or |
| Be aware, that under the Rules sand and loose | | | | loss of hole in match play. |
| soil are loose impediments on the putting green, | | | | I have only attempted to cover the more |
| but not elsewhere; snow and natural ice, other | | | | important matters in the Rules relating to loose |
| than frost, are either casual water or loose | | | | impediments and movable obstructions in this |
| impediments, at the option of the player; and dew | | | | short piece. I hope that I have been able to clarify |
| and frost are not loose impediments. | | | | the status of different objects for you, to assist |
| Some loose impediments may be transformed | | | | you in making the correct decision on how to |
| into obstructions through processes of | | | | proceed with your round, if and when they come |
| construction or manufacturing. For example, a log | | | | into play. |
| (loose impediment) that has been split and has | | | | Good golfing, |
| legs attached has been changed by construction | | | | Barry Rhodes |
| into a bench (obstruction), or a piece of wood | | | | Providing miscellaneous content for golfers of all |
| (loose impediment) becomes an obstruction when | | | | abilities who wish to improve their understanding |
| manufactured into a charcoal briquette. Also, there | | | | of the Rules of Golf. |
| may be loose impediments that when placed | | | | |