Loose Impediments and Movable Obstructions in Golf: What You Can Move (Rule 15)
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How we wrote this: A plain-English summary of Rule 15 of the official Rules of Golf as published by the R&A, checked October 29, 2026. "Loose impediment" and "movable obstruction" are defined terms in the Rules.
The R&A says Rule 15 covers movable natural and artificial objects that aren't part of the challenge of the course. You can normally move them, but be careful near your ball.
Loose impediments (natural objects)
Loose impediments are unattached natural objects, such as stones, loose leaves and twigs. Under Rule 15.1a you may remove them without penalty, anywhere on or off the course, in any way: by hand or foot, with a club, or with help from others.
The catch: under Rule 15.1b, if removing one makes your ball move, you must replace the ball. You also get one penalty stroke, unless the ball was on the putting green or in the teeing area, or another exception applies (such as moving it accidentally while searching).
Also, before replacing a ball you lifted (anywhere except the putting green), don't remove a loose impediment that would likely have moved the ball. That's a one-stroke penalty.
Movable obstructions (artificial objects)
Movable obstructions are artificial things you can move easily, such as a rake, a bottle or a towel. Under Rule 15.2a:
- Remove them anywhere, without penalty. Tee markers are the exception when you're playing from that teeing area.
- If your ball moves while you remove one, there's no penalty. Replace the ball.
- Ball in or on a movable obstruction (for example, resting on a towel): lift the ball, remove the obstruction and drop within one club-length of the spot right under where the ball was. Don't drop nearer the hole, and stay in the same area of the course. On the putting green, place the ball on that spot instead.
- If your ball is lost but known or virtually certain to be in or on a movable obstruction, you may take the same free relief instead of stroke and distance.
Immovable obstructions (cart paths, sprinkler heads) are covered by Rule 16. See free relief.
A ball that helps or gets in the way
Rule 15.3: if a ball on the putting green might help anyone's play, its player may mark and lift it. Players must not agree to leave a ball in place to help someone. Any ball that interferes with your play can be marked and lifted on request.
See also: bunker rules, how to drop, ball moved at rest.