Loose impediments and movable obstructions
The R&A / USGA · 2023Natural loose objects differ from movable artificial objects.
Removing objects
Loose natural objects may normally be removed anywhere, including bunkers and penalty areas. If removal moves your ball, replace it; outside the green and teeing area this normally costs 1 penalty stroke, subject to exceptions such as searching. Removing a movable artificial obstruction instead carries no penalty if the ball accidentally moves; replace it. Boundary objects and integral objects do not qualify. Do not remove objects deliberately to affect a moving ball.
Ball on an object or interfering with play
If a ball is in or on a movable obstruction, remove it and drop within 1 club-length of the point directly below its former position, in the same course area and not nearer the hole; on the green, place it at that point. You may require an interfering ball to be marked and lifted; it is not cleaned unless on the green. In stroke play, agreeing to leave a helpful backstop ball on the green and then playing brings the general penalty.
Sources & approach ↗