Play the course as found
The R&A / USGA · 2023Protected conditions and limited permitted improvements.
Do not improve the next stroke
Do not improve the lie, intended stance or swing area, line of play or relief area by prohibited changes. Examples include bending branches, moving boundary objects, altering the ground, pressing down sand or removing dew. The general penalty applies. Fair searching, a fair stance and other expressly allowed actions remain possible; a player is not entitled to a normal stance or swing everywhere.
Exceptions are limited
Some moved objects can be restored before the stroke to eliminate the improvement and avoid penalty; this does not excuse every alteration. Conditions worsened by another person or animal may sometimes be restored, but not normally those worsened by the player, caddie or natural forces. Specific permissions apply on tees and greens. Do not deliberately alter other conditions to influence a later stroke or another player’s ball; genuine course care has defined exceptions.
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