Yesterday we came across a situation where my buddy had a putt with some clumps of sand in his line. He was about to move it away, when I mentioned I didn't think he was able to do that. On the same green, I had a putt that had a stone in my line, from a bunker as well because there was sand from a blast nearby as well.

I seem to recall something about not being able to move sand on the green. Were we able to move this? Has this rule changed in the last few years?

Thanks.

I am pretty sure you have always been able to move this type of loose impediment. But I think they did change the rule recently to where you could even use a towell to brush it away where it used to have to be picked up. This may be way off but I believe it is correct.

Move it...it's a loose impediment.

BDLz

Sand, stones and soil are loose impediments ON THE GREEN ONLY!

You and your buddy could have moved both the stone and the sand. Here's the definition of a loose impedient:

"Loose impediments" are natural objects including:

· stones, leaves, twigs, branches and the like,
· dung, and
· worms, insects and the like, and the casts and heaps made by them,

provided they are not:

· fixed or growing,
· solidly embedded, or
· adhering to the ball.

Sand and loose soil are loose impediments on the putting green, but not elsewhere.

Snow and natural ice, other than frost, are either casual water or loose impediments, at the option of the player.

Dew and frost are not loose impediments.

One of the things I do while waiting for other in my group on the green is to toss the stray stones in the bushes.

But I think a shop vac might be required on some greens!

In the case of sand, do you just have to brush it away or do you place your ball somewhere else not closer to the hole (where the sand isn't an issue)?

Twist

You have to brush it away.

-Adam