Mark, Lift, and Clean Golf Ball Rules

What It Looks Like

On the green you'll see golfers mark the ball with a coin or ball marker, lift it, clean it with a towel and replace it. That is always allowed. Lifting your ball in the general area when no Rule allows it is a one-stroke penalty (Rule 9.4). Cleaning a lifted ball when 14.1c doesn't allow it is also one stroke.

Main Causes

Common scenarios where players get this wrong:

• Lifting the ball in the general area when no Rule allows it. Relief situations include free relief (for example, from a cart path or ground under repair) and penalty relief (penalty area, unplayable ball). When lifting to take relief, you don't have to mark the spot.
• Cleaning when 14.1c doesn't allow it. A lifted ball may be cleaned, except in the four 14.1c cases.
• Cleaning a ball lifted to check for damage. You may lift your ball to see if it is cut or cracked, but you must mark it first and you may not clean it. Rule 4.2c / 14.1c.

Quick Self-Check

Before lifting or cleaning your ball, ask yourself:

• Am I on the putting green? If yes, you may mark, lift and clean the ball, then replace it on its spot.
• Elsewhere, does a Rule allow me to lift? If not, don't lift it.
• Will the ball be replaced? If yes, mark the spot first. Marking is not required when lifting to take relief.
• Why am I lifting? If it's to check for a cut or crack, to identify it, because it interferes with play, or to check whether relief applies, the cleaning limits in 14.1c apply.

Main Fix

On the putting green you may always mark, lift and clean your ball, then replace it on its spot (Rules 13.1b, 14.1). Elsewhere you may lift only when a Rule allows it.

• Marking: You must mark the spot before lifting whenever the ball will be replaced. If you lift without marking, it is one penalty stroke. Marking is not required when lifting to take relief.
• Lifting: Always allowed on the putting green; elsewhere only when a Rule allows it.
• Cleaning: A lifted ball may be cleaned, except when it is lifted to check for a cut or crack, to identify it (clean only as much as needed), because it interferes with play, or to check whether relief applies (unless you then take relief). Rule 14.1c.

If you, an opponent or another player accidentally move your ball or ball-marker on the putting green, there is no penalty. Replace the ball on its original spot (estimated if not known). Rule 13.1d(1).

Common Mistakes

1. Lifting in the general area when no Rule allows it. That is a one-stroke penalty (Rule 9.4).
2. Lifting without marking when the ball will be replaced. You must mark the spot before lifting whenever the ball will be replaced. If you lift without marking, it is one penalty stroke. Marking is not required when lifting to take relief.
3. Cleaning a ball lifted to check for damage. You may lift your ball to see if it is cut or cracked, but you must mark it first and you may not clean it. Rule 4.2c / 14.1c.
4. Not replacing the ball. If you play without replacing a ball that must be replaced, it is playing from a wrong place (general penalty). Also remove the ball-marker before you play: making a stroke with it still in place is one stroke.

Drills to Practice Proper Ball Handling

Drill 1: Mark and Replace on the Green

Setup: Place your ball on a practice green. Use a ball marker and a towel.

Steps:

1. Mark your ball with the ball marker.
2. Lift the ball carefully.
3. Clean the ball with the towel.
4. Replace the ball exactly where it was.
5. Remove the ball-marker before you putt.
6. Repeat this 10 times.

What Good Looks Like: The ball is marked, lifted, cleaned and replaced on its spot, and the marker is removed before the stroke.

Drill 2: Simulate a Relief Situation

Setup: Place your ball on a simulated cart path or in ground under repair.

Steps:

1. Find the relief area for the Rule that applies.
2. Lift the ball. You don't have to mark the spot when lifting to take relief.
3. Clean the ball if you like.
4. Drop from knee height inside the relief area. The relief area's size and its no-nearer-the-hole limit depend on which relief Rule applies.
5. Repeat this 10 times.

What Good Looks Like: The ball is dropped from knee height and comes to rest in the correct relief area.

Drill 3: Accidental Movement on the Green

Setup: Place your ball on a practice green. Use a ball marker.

Steps:

1. Mark your ball with the ball marker.
2. Accidentally nudge the ball or marker, then replace it on its original spot. There is no penalty on the green.
3. Repeat this 10 times.

What Good Looks Like: You replace the ball on its original spot every time.

When to See a PGA Professional

You should see a PGA professional if:

• You're unsure about the rules for marking, lifting, or cleaning your ball.
• You're consistently making mistakes with your ball handling.
• You want to improve your course management and etiquette.

FAQ

What is the rule for marking a ball on the green?

On the putting green you may always mark, lift and clean your ball, then replace it on its spot (Rules 13.1b, 14.1). Mark the spot before lifting.

Can I clean my ball on the fairway?

Not by lifting it just to clean it. Lifting a ball in the general area needs a Rule that allows it. If you lift it under a Rule, you may clean it except in the 14.1c cases. Some courses use a 'preferred lies' local rule that allows lift-clean-place on the fairway.

What happens if I accidentally move my ball on the green?

If you, an opponent or another player accidentally move your ball or ball-marker on the putting green, there is no penalty. Replace the ball on its original spot (estimated if not known). Rule 13.1d(1).

Can I lift my ball to check if it's cracked?

You may lift your ball to see if it is cut or cracked, but you must mark it first and you may not clean it. Rule 4.2c / 14.1c.

What is a relief situation?

Relief situations include free relief (for example, from a cart path or ground under repair) and penalty relief (penalty area, unplayable ball). When lifting to take relief, you don't have to mark the spot.

Related pages

• Out of bounds rule
• Provisional ball rule
• Unplayable ball rule
• Uneven lies
• Golf etiquette

Sources

• Rule 13.1: https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-13
• Rule 14.1: https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-14

Who This Is Not For

This page is not for professional golfers who are already familiar with the rules of golf. It is intended for amateur golfers, especially beginners and mid-handicappers, who want to understand the rules for marking, lifting, and cleaning their ball.