Rules · Tip
Your Ball Is on a Towel or Other Movable Object
Part of our rules programs. Build a program with it
Movable things made by people, like towels, rakes or bottles, can be moved anywhere for free under Rule 15.2. Tee-markers are the exception when you're playing from that tee. If your ball moves while you take one away, put it back with no penalty. If your ball is sitting on the object, lift the ball and remove the object. Off the green, drop within a club-length of the point directly beneath the ball, in the same area and not closer to the hole. On the green, place it on that spot.
Step by step
- Move the object for free.
- Ball moved? Replace it, no penalty.
- Ball on the object? Find the spot underneath.
- Off the green: drop within one club-length.
- On the green: place it there.
Why it works
Movable obstructions are artificial objects that can be moved without damaging the course or changing the conditions of play. The rule lets you remove them so they don't affect your lie, stance or swing. If the ball rests on one, the spot directly beneath it is the closest fair estimate of where the ball would lie without the object. Dropping within a club-length of that spot, no nearer the hole and in the same area of the course, keeps you from gaining an advantage. On the green, you place the ball on the spot because the putting surface needs an exact lie.
Common mistakes
- Taking a penalty when the ball moves as you remove the object.Replace the ball on its original spot, and take no penalty, because the rule covers movement caused by removing the object.
- Dropping the ball from the wrong place after lifting it off the object.Mark the spot directly beneath the ball first, then drop within one club-length of that spot.
- Dropping the ball closer to the hole or into a different area of the course.Choose a spot no nearer the hole that is in the same area as the original spot, such as the fairway, rough or bunker.
How you'll know it's working
- Your ball ends up in a lie that matches the ground around the spot beneath the object.
- You can state the spot you chose and show that it is within one club-length and no nearer the hole.
- On the green, the ball sits exactly on the marked spot and does not roll away.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practise with a towel on flat ground, so the spot beneath the ball is easy to see and mark.
Harder: Practise with the ball on an object near the edge of a bunker or the green, where you must decide which area applies and where the nearest spot is.
Common questions
Can I move a towel that is next to my ball without penalty?
Yes. A towel is a movable obstruction, so you can move it for free under Rule 15.2. If your ball moves as you do it, replace the ball with no penalty.
What do I do if my ball lands on a rake or towel?
Mark the spot directly beneath the ball, lift the ball and remove the object. Off the green, drop within one club-length of that spot, no nearer the hole and in the same area. On the green, place the ball on the spot.
