Model Local Rule E2 Cleaning Ball

Model Local Rule E-2 (cleaning ball) implemented from 20th October 2024
When a player’s ball lies in the general area cut to fairway height or less, the ball may be lifted, cleaned and replaced without penalty.
The player must mark the spot of the ball before lifting it (see Rule 14.1) and the ball must be replaced on its original spot.
When it is not know or virtually certain of where the fairway edge starts then apply this rule (model local rule E2)
Penalty for playing ball from a wrong place in breach of local rule: General penalty under rule 14.7a is.
Loss of hole in match play or two strokes in Stroke play.
DEFINITION OF GENERAL AREA
The area of the course that covers all of the course except for the other four defined areas:
(1) the teeing area the player must play from in starting the hole they are playing,
(2) all penalty areas,
(3) all bunkers
(4) the putting green of the hole the player is playing.
Rule 14
Procedures for Ball: Marking, Lifting and Cleaning; Replacing on Spot; Marking, Lifting and Cleaning Ball
This Rule applies to the deliberate “lifting” of a player’s ball at rest.
This may be done in any way, which includes picking up the ball by hand, rotating it or otherwise deliberately causing it to move from its spot.
Before lifting a ball under Model Rule E-2 requiring the ball to be replaced on its original spot, the player must mark the spot which means to:
- Place a ball-marker right behind or right next to the ball.
After replacing the ball, the player must remove the ball-marker before making a stroke. If the player lifts the ball without marking its spot, marks its spot in a wrong way or makes a stroke with a ball-marker left in place, the player gets one penalty stroke.
Rule 14.1b
Who May Lift Ball
The player’s ball may be lifted under the Rules only by: The player.